Now for some bad news: Globally, 2.2 billion people still don’t have access to a safely managed water source — and there are 2 billion people with no basic sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines.
More bad news: A lack of clean water isn’t just an inconvenience. For nearly a million people around the world, it’s fatal.
Every year, over 829,000 people die from diarrhea caused by unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene. Over a third of those deaths are children under five.
More good news: There are cost-effective and evidence-backed way to bring clean water and sanitation to those in need. Our recommended water charities provide millions with with these basic, vital resources that all people should have — and we take for granted every day.
[1] World Health Organization, Key facts from JMP 2015 report
[2] World Health Organization, Drinking-water fact sheet
[3] World Health Organization, Sanitation fact sheet
