For the hundreds of millions of people living in poverty, extreme and unpredictable weather events are putting clean water sources under growing threat. 

Already, almost 1 in 10 people worldwide don't have clean water close to home – and the climate crisis means already fragile water supplies are at even greater risk of disappearing completely.

By 2040, 1 in 4 children will be living in places where there isn't enough water to meet demand.

What has climate change got to do with water?

A staggering 90% of all natural disasters are water-related, and they're massively impacting people's lives.

As global temperatures continue to rise, we're experiencing too much or too little water. More frequent and extreme flooding is polluting fragile water sources. Longer droughts are drying up springs.

How is climate change affecting people?

Without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, communities are more at risk of catching waterborne diseases like cholera, which claims 120,000 lives every year.

Women and girls are suffering the most, as responsibility falls to them to take on household chores, collect water and care for the family. As water becomes more scarce, their day-to-day lives become much harder.

“Climate change has brought us hunger”

Rose Mary Abbo, mother of three, worries for her family's future. The dry season in her village in Uganda is growing longer and hotter, and the rains are getting heavier and more unpredictable. The climate crisis is making it increasingly difficult to survive.

Rose Mary Abbo carrying water by bike, Namutumba village, Mulanga Parish.
Image: WaterAid/ James Kiyimba

Empowering communities in a changing climate

We provide water and sanitation services communities can rely on, along with instilling good hygiene practices.

We work with people who've been hit hardest by the effects of climate change to make sure they have a reliable supply of water and decent toilets that withstand flood, drought and natural disaster, and the resources to maintain good hygiene.

With clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, they can stay disease free, go to school, earn a living and be better prepared for whatever the future brings.

Water means life

Only by building climate-resilient water supplies and toilets, can the Munda people survive the relentless storms and floods caused by climate change.

Find out how you can help the people of Bhetkhali, Bangladesh
Image: WaterAid/ Fabeha Monir

Climate whiplash 

Adapting to either flood or drought is already hard enough – but millions of people are now facing dramatic flips between the two extremes.

Get involved 

Discover the many ways you can get involved with WaterAid, from fundraising to volunteering to raising awareness.

Donate today 

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