Water is the most vital aspect of life. There is not a single society on the planet that does not rely on water. Our bodies need it, whether to stay clean or be hydrated. Industries such as agriculture must have it to run their operations, and doctors in the medical field cannot work in sterile conditions without it. However, 1 in 9 people do not have access to clean water. That means that there are an estimated 840 million people living without access to safe water.
The lack of water and sanitation can keep people in a cycle of poverty. This disproportionately affects women, as in many places, they are the ones responsible for collecting water. Not only does this take time away from education and work, but it can lead to dangerous situations.
Furthermore, the water crisis is a health crisis. Every year almost one million people die from sanitation, water, and hygiene-related diseases. These issues can be greatly reduced with access to safe water.
Here are three nonprofits helping to provide people in need with clean water.
Generosity.org
This organization’s mission is to end the clean water crisis in developing countries. As of today Generosity.org has completed 813 projects. They have helped almost half a million people across 20 countries get access to clean water.
Water for Good
Water for Good establishes sanitation practices in central Africa. They also work with communities to improve agriculture and empower underserved populations. Recently, the nonprofit has raised awareness by traveling through the United States in a custom Tesla. The exterior of the car is covered by 5,000 gray drops which represent a family in the Central African Republic. For each $25 donation a drop turns blue, meaning that a family has been provided with clean water. Their goal is to help up to 20,000 people in need.
Pure Water for the World
This nonprofit is focused on communities in the Caribbean and Central America. Their mission is to help families gain the education and tools to develop sustainable water and sanitation solutions. Pure Water’s original campaign surpassed their goal of $100,000, giving more than 4,000 children in Honduras and Haiti clean water. However, the campaign is still active and receiving donations.