Why We Work with WaterAid UK

UCL WASH works with WaterAid UK to raise awareness for the UN Development Goal of improving access to clean water and improving sanitation for all. Here's why we think they're such great organisation.

 

1. WaterAid argue that water, toilets and hygiene are a human right

Extreme poverty cannot end until clean water, toilets and hygiene are a normal part of daily life for everyone, everywhere. Yet 785 million people live without clean water close to home, and 2 billion don't have a decent toilet of their own. And climate change is making the situation worse. 

Women in particular waste precious time walking long distances to collect dirty water. Girls drop out of school because there are no private toilets to manage their periods. And approximately 289,000 children per year do not live to see their fifth birthday because of diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation. 

WaterAid focus all three essentials: clean water, improved sanitation and proper hygiene.

 

2. They know there's no 'one-size-fits-all' solution

There is no blanket solution to helping people get clean water and toilets. A rural community suffering from drought and poor infrastructure will face very different obstacles to an urban community vulnerable to flooding. WaterAid looks for technology driven solutions to specific problems.

3. WaterAid know toilets and hygiene save lives

Globally, one in four people don’t have a decent toilet. People often have no choice but to go outside – increasing the risk of the spread of deadly diseases such as diarrhoea.

Politicians rarely want to talk about where people do their business, let alone spend money on toilets. And with such limited funding, not enough is spent on educating people about the importance of using them. 

WaterAid install decent toilets and promote good hygiene – helping people stay clean and healthy. They show governments the difference this makes to whole communities: children don’t miss school with stomach-ache or die from diarrhoea and girls can manage their periods privately and safely.

 

4. WaterAid wants to make change on a massive scale by working to:

• Convince governments to change laws

• Link policy makers with people on the ground

• Change attitudes and behaviours

• Pool knowledge and resources

• Rally support from people and organisations across the world

If you want to learn more about WaterAid's work come to one of our events, or visit their website at: https://bit.ly/2UkSQJk