Safe water protects and saves lives
As we face a global pandemic, the health of families around the world relies on access to safe water and people like you.
About the water crisis
To raise awareness about the water crisis and the problems Water.org is working to solve, here are facts and figures to share:
- 785 million people — 1 in 9 — lack access to safe water.
- 2 billion people — 1 in 3 — lack access to a toilet.
- More people have a mobile phone than a toilet.
- Every two minutes a child dies from a water and sanitation-related disease.
- Nearly 1 million people die each year from water, sanitation and hygiene-related diseases.
- Women and children bear the primary responsibility for water collection.
- Women and girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water. This is time spent not working, caring for family members, or attending school.
- Women and girls living without a toilet spend 266 million hours every day finding a place to go.
- Globally, 1 in 3 schools lacks access to basic water and sanitation.
About Water.org
Water.org is an international nonprofit organization that has
positively transformed millions of lives around the world with
access to safe water and sanitation.
Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org pioneers
market-driven financial solutions to the global water crisis.
For more than 30 years, they’ve been providing families with
hope, health and bright futures.
Real People Stories…
Meet Edita
Water.org’s work around the world includes removing the financial barriers that separate women like Edita from access to safe water. She seems unassuming; however upon conversation with Edita one will discover the quiet confidence that drove her to bring her family to a place where they could access both good schools and running water.
Aisyah is Smart
Aisyah is a wife, a mother, and a farmer. Most critical to all of her roles is time. “Time to work my rice fields means more money I can make for my family; our life is better,” Aisyah explained.
As a smart business woman growing one of Indonesia’s most desired crops, Aisyah recognized lack of access to water at home as the main obstacle keeping her from having the time needed to farm.
Meet Nanda
Her smile is truly as warm as the herbal tea she prepares each morning to sell from her humble home in Mysore. Past the mint and chamomile drying in the window, one can see Nanda’s husband feeding and watering their dairy cow. Days didn’t always start like this for the couple. For years, this time of day was spent focused on collecting water.
Elma is Courageous
Elma is courageous. You see, Elma and her husband have never been able to break free from the cycle of poverty. Despite their circumstances, Elma did her best to make a home for her family in a dirt-floor hut in rural Philippines. Made of bamboo and tarps, the dwelling never lacked love, but did lack safe water and a toilet.