Water is a Basic Human Need.
Without it survival is not possible. Every day, 2.1 billion people still wake up each morning without access to clean water. This means that millions of vulnerable families around the world do not drink, cook, or bathe with clean water.
For most rural schools and communities, access to clean water depends on outside NGOs (nonprofit organizations) purchasing or “giving” a well. However, there are millions of schools and communities that do not have access to nonprofit agencies or local government support. We must then ask ourselves: “How can we make water available for all?” Something must be done.
The Facts
3.4 million people die each year from scarce and contaminated water sources.
Millions of women and children spend 3-6 hours each day collecting water from distant and polluted sources.
The time it takes to walk the average 3.7 miles for clean water is time not spent generating income, caring for family members, or attending school.
At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from diseases associated with lack of access to clean water.
Effects on Women & Children
- Endure multiple bouts of malaria
- Drop out of school
- Become a child mother herself
- Be beaten, injured, and/or raped
- Suffer animal bites and dangerous infections
Women are not the only ones who suffer. Nearly 6,000 children die of water related diseases each day. It is time to end the water crisis.
WHOlives is tackling this global epidemic and making a positive impact on the world. Read more about our Model and Global Projects.
