The Water Crisis
Today, 785 million people lack access to safe drinking water. That's 1 in 9 people.
According to a report by the World Economic Forum, the water crisis is the #4 global risk in terms of impact to society. 144 million people depend on surface water to meet basic needs and 2 billion people lack access to improved sanitation. Find ways you can help.
Women and girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water. Women are disproportionately affected by the water crisis, as they are often responsible for collecting water. This takes time away from work, school and caring for family. The lack of water and sanitation locks women in a cycle of poverty. Empowering women is critical to solving the water crisis. When women have access to safe water at home, they can pursue more beyond water collection and their traditional roles. They have time to work and add to their household income. Additionally, children spend 6-8 hours on average walking for water each day- time that should be spent in school. The water crisis has inhibited societal growth as a whole as women and children are not given access to jobs or education.
1 Million people die each year from water, sanitiation, or hygiene-related diseases. Each day, 1,000 children die. The water crisis is a health crisis. Nearly 1 million people die each year from water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases which could be reduced with access to safe water or sanitation. Every 2 minutes a child dies from a water-related disease. Access to safe water and sanitation contributes to improved health and helps prevent the spread of infectious disease. It means reduced child and maternal mortality rates. It means reduced physical injury from constant lifting and carrying heavy loads of water.
Water connects every aspect of life. Access to safe water and sanitation can quickly turn problems into potential – empowering people with time for school and work, and contributing to improved health for women, children, and families around the world.