Clean water is essential for life, but 68% of the rural population of Malawi are forced to drink potentially lethal water or nothing and 94% have no access to adequate sanitation facilities (Dr Victor Chipovya, Institute of Water and Sanitation, 2009).

Poor water and sanitation provision is one of the reasons why Malawi’s health indicators are amongst the worst in the world. One in ten children, under five, die from disease caused by dirty water and poor hygiene. The survivors have their development disrupted and their health undermined by diarrhoeal and other water-related diseases.

Women and children shoulder the bulk of responsibility when it comes to collecting water. It often takes more than three hours every day to fetch water that is likely to make them sick. This prevents them for doing other work or attending school. Additionally, collecting water puts them at greater risk of sexual harassment and assault because of having to walk alone through potentially dangerous areas.

By providing access to safe drinking water and sanitation we can give immediate and lasting benefits in health, education, productivity and income generation.