Globally, at least one third of the population in developing countries does not have access to safe drinking water. Safe water is especially critical for expectant women and children, who are the most vulnerable to water-borne diseases. In Tanzania, out of a population of 60 million, more than 17 million do not have access to safe water sources.
In developing countries where 80% of illnesses are due to poor water and sanitation, the lack of clean drinking water directly contributes to the spread of diseases like dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, and more. In Kenya, poor water quality and sanitation is a leading cause of these potentially deadly diseases.
Climate change is increasing aridity, which reduces the amount of water available for drinking and farming. Many farmers in these regions access groundwater, which can be less prone to impacts of climate change impacts and evaporation losses.
Nearly 90 percent of Uganda’s 37 million people live in small towns and rural areas. Roughly two-thirds of them lack access to safe water. Diarrhoea alone is killing 33 Ugandan children every day. Unsafe drinking water creates a ripple effect, that negatively impact people’s health, education, and possibilities of economic prosperity.
Uganda is amongst the very first countries in Sub Saharan Africa to launch a national roll-out of safe drinking water to households living in the most water-challenged areas in the country. Over the next two years, communities will be engaged through students, parents, teachers, and staff to actively participate in the SaWa for Uganda National Program.
2 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water and Kenya is one of the most affected countries. With a population of 50 million, 32% of Kenyans rely on unsafe water sources, such as ponds, shallow wells, and rivers.
The world water crisis is a major concern, especially in places like South Sudan, where an estimated 5 million people still lack access to safe drinking water. The majority of these people live in rural South Sudan in marginalised communities.