More than 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe water and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation facilities. As a result 2.2 million children aged under five die from diarrhoeal diseases each year. Women and children in poorer countries spend hours each day collecting and carrying water. The weight of water carried can be more than 25 kilogrammes.
Tearfund supports programmes that empower communities to develop or improve their own water supplies. Local people are encouraged to choose their own sites, and decide on the technology used and other aspects of design and construction.
If you would like to learn more about how you can support Water and Public Health projects please click here.
For details of Tearfund's policy and research on water please click here.