WaterAid enables the world’s poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. These basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods and form the first, essential step in overcoming poverty.

We work with local partners, who understand local issues, and provide them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects that meet their real needs.

We also campaign locally and internationally to change policy and practice and ensure water and sanitation’s vital role in reducing poverty is recognised.

For more information head to www.wateraid.org.au

Who benefits

Communities have reported the following benefits arising from WaterAid’s water, sanitation and hygiene projects:

• Fewer deaths from water-related diseases
• Better health
• Less money spent on medical treatment
• More time
• Less fatigue
• Empowerment of women and marginalised groups
• More schooling
• More teachers accepting positions in schools
• More farming
• Better diet
• Increase in family income
• Families can spend more time together
• Cleaner living environment
• Better housing
• More family planning

Provision of water and sanitation and hygiene education reduces mortality caused by diarrhoeal disease by an average of 65% (World Health Organisation).