Why water? And what is the water crisis?

Learn more about how water changes everything in three minutes.

703 million people live without access to clean drinking water. Children are especially vulnerable to this -- their small bodies can’t handle the intense dehydration from diarrheal diseases. Globally, 60% of diarrheal disease deaths are estimated to be due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene.

In developing countries, women and children usually collect the water for their families. They walk miles each day to the nearest source, which may be unprotected and likely to make them sick. Time spent walking keeps them from attending school, working, or taking care of their families.

But clean water changes everything.

Water projects built near the home can restore hours to someone’s day. Instead of walking for water, adults can use this time to work and children can use it to get an education. Families with enough clean water to drink, bathe, clean, and grow their own food can become self-sufficient households, less affected by external conflict, famine, or inadequate government services.

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