Rwanda | WaterAid America

Rwanda

Capital:

Kigali

Population:

12 million

Area:

26,338

km²

Anyone in doubt about whether change is possible should look to Rwanda. Following a brutal civil war, the country has made astounding progress.

Eight in ten people now have clean water and a decent toilet, making this mountainous, green country a shining example of what we can achieve. The Government plans to reach everyone with clean water, toilets and hygiene as soon as they can.

This is ambitious. The poorest people, often in remote and hard-to-reach areas, still lack basic services. Policy-makers do not have information on how best to make improvements. And service providers lack the know-how and money to put lasting systems in place.

We have the experience and expertise to fix these problems. We provide decision-makers with accurate information. We bring people and organizations together and build their skills. We campaign for more and better-targeted investment. And we empower communities so that the Government hears their voices.

Together we can make clean water, toilets and hygiene a normal part of daily life for all Rwandans.

4.8 million people do not have clean water.

That's more than one in three people.

1 in 4 people do not have a decent toilet.

That's 3.6 million people.

Over 600 children under 5 die each year from diarrhea.

Caused by dirty water and poor toilets.

Delivering life with clean water

When Ruth last visited Nzangwa Health Centre, she had to bring a jerrycan of her own water with her. Thanks to your donations, which were doubled by UK Aid, the centre now has its own supply – meaning her new baby, Emeline, was born in a safer, healthier environment.