3.5 million people don't have clean water.
3.5 million people don't have clean water.
That's almost one in six people
11 million people don't have a decent toilet.
11 million people don't have a decent toilet.
That's more than half the population.
Almost 4,000 children under five die a year from diarrhoea.
Almost 4,000 children under five die a year from diarrhoea.
Caused by dirty water and poor toilets.
What does WaterAid do in Mali?
By partnering with others, we put clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene at the heart of improvements in education, health, environment and food security. With recent political unrest and irregular rainfall, the solutions we choose need to fit with wider plans to tackle these complex issues.
We use our experience, resourcefulness and connections. For example, we share innovative, low-cost technologies with nomadic groups, resolve conflicts around water use, and promote good hygiene through art and traditional storytelling.
In Mali’s fragile environment, stable, long-lasting services are vital. We are working with our partners and local people to build their skills so they can keep facilities working, day after day, whatever the changing climate brings. Together we can achieve our goals within a generation.
A school's first time with taps
The AMALDEME medical educational centre in Lafiabougou, Bamako District, offers therapy, education and training for up to 600 children with learning difficulties.
The centre’s water tower was old and cracked, and the supply was polluted, forcing staff to buy water using precious funds. Only three of the 30 toilets were usable, so children had to use pots outside.
Working together, we fixed the tower and installed handwashing basins, fitted taps and got the toilets working again. “Now we drink clean water without worry and we don't queue or waste time for the toilet,” said Sougalo Traore, who runs the centre.
Children with learning difficulties can often feel stressed. Sougalo told us that his students feel calmer with the new facilities. Most of the children didn’t know what a tap was – now they are a normal part of life.
Diallo Assita, who is in charge of the school here, told us how these changes mean the centre can better help the children learn, integrate socially and prepare for adult life. “I can't say how great and useful the support received is," says Diallo. "It pleased us so much. Water is life and happiness."