Restoration of Water supply systems by rebuilding destroyed Water Wells and building new Water Wells to make transporting water closer to the homes. Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren’t strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. 90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable.
The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and Sanitation. In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year just walking for water. Women and children usually bear the burden of water collection, walking miles to the nearest source, which is unprotected and likely to make them sick.
Time spent walking and resulting diseases keep them from school, work and taking care of their families. Hauling cans of water for long distances takes a toll on the spine and many women experience back pain early in life. With safe drinking water nearby, women are free to pursue new opportunities and improve their families’ lives. Kids can earn their education and build the future of their communities.
