National Geographic showcases WaterAid's work in Ethiopia

The Burden of Thirst feature in National Geographic magazine's April 2010 special water issue examines water scarcity in East Africa, and covers WaterAid's programme in Ethiopia.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Tina Rosenberg writes about how the water crisis in East Africa affects women, and what can be done to help communities establish their own sustainable water supplies.

Her article is accompanied by stunning photographs by World Press Award-winning photographer Lynn Johnson, who traveled to Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to witness how the burden of water collection dominates women's lives.

She has never dared think that someday life could change for the better - that there could arrive a metal spigot, out of the end of which gushed dignity. Tina Rosenberg, National Geographic

The article showcases WaterAid's work in various regions of Ethiopia, highlighting a programme in the arid Konso region which is using innovative sand dam technology to establish a year-round supply of safe water.

Tina Rosenberg poignantly reflects on the difference that access to safe water will make to the life of Aylito Binayo, a mother of three from Konso who has to leave her young children alone while she spends eight hours a day fetching water. Tina Rosenberg writes: "She doesn't dream. She has never dared think that someday life could change for the better - that there could arrive a metal spigot, out of the end of which gushed dignity."

Lynn Johnson's photos feature the construction of a spring-fed gravity flow water network implemented by WaterAid that has brought safe water to the market towns of Ticho and Kella and surrounding villages in the Oromia region of Ethiopia for the first time ever, along with dramatic images of women walking to fetch water across barren landscape in drought-stricken Kenya.

The April issue of National Geographic is available from March 30, 2010.

Visit www.NationalGeographic.com to read the article

Not as rosy as it seems?

WaterAid response to the JMP report - Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water: 2010 Update.

Published on Monday 15 March 2010, the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report on sanitation and drinking water provides detailed estimates of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

It breaks down figures for access to sanitation and water by country, region and rural/urban.

This year's report suggests that the world is on track to meet or even exceed the MDG for drinking water – to halve the proportion of people without access to safe water by 2015.

Download the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) report on sanitation and drinking water here (PDF, 12Mb)

However, all is not as rosy as it seems.

Firstly, much of this progress is down to rapid improvements in East Asia, particularly China, without which we would still be off-track. Secondly, the overall figures mask huge disparities within countries and between them. Thirdly, even though we are on-track globally, nearly 900 million people are still without access to safe drinking water.

Many of the poorest countries will still not have met the water target by 2050 unless efforts are scaled up; sub-Saharan Africa in particular is a long long way indeed from a vision of clean water for all. Furthermore, there are huge disparities even within countries that are on track nationally, such as between urban and rural areas, with rural areas usually having far lower access figures.

Aid that is given at present is not going to the poorest countries where most people without access to safe water and sanitation live – in fact only 32% goes to Low Income Countries where the need is greatest.

A key headline is that we are seriously off-track on the sanitation MDG target, which is to halve the proportion of people without access to sanitation by 2015. The new report's figures suggest that, if current rates of progress continue, the global sanitation goal will be met 30 years too late – that’s a billion people too late. Such a failure is not an option, so global efforts on sanitation must be rapidly scaled up to avoid this scenario.

Across the world, 2.6 billion people are still without access to a safe place to go to the toilet. In the meantime, 4000 children across the world continue to die silently and needlessly every day from diseases caused by poor sanitation and unsafe water.

Sub-Saharan Africa needs particular focus. At the current rate of progress, the sanitation target in that region will not be met for nearly 200 years. This gives sanitation the dubious honour of being the second most off-track MDG in Sub-Saharan Africa, with only maternal mortality seeing slower progress.

This water and sanitation crisis is holding back improvements across all other MDGs including education and maternal and child health, affecting not only human development but also, crucially, economic growth. To prevent other development efforts from being undermined, we need world leaders to take firm action to reverse the global water and sanitation crisis before it's too late.

On 23 April, Ministers have the chance to do just that as the first ever high level meeting on water and sanitation takes place in Washington – they simply must commit to delivering real progress towards achieving sanitation and water for all.

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For more information, to speak to a spokesperson or for high res images of WaterAid's work to ensure access to safe water, hygiene education and sanitation, please contact: annnoon@wateraid.org or call 020 7793 4790. For media enquiries out of hours, call 07887 521552.

Preview: WaterAid at the 15th African International Water Congress

WaterAid will be in Kampala, Uganda, this week for the 15th African International Water Congress.

At the event, WaterAid will be challenging perceptions and informing people about pro-poor utilities. Read updates from the event here.

Background
Since 2008, and for the first time in human history, more people are living in urban settlements than in rural areas.

Globally, one in three urban dwellers – one billion people – live in a slum, with chronic water and sanitation poverty. And, by 2020, at current rates of growth, half of the African urban population will be living in informal settlements without access to these basic human rights.

Key issue: Serving the urban poor
Chronic water and sanitation shortages are made worse by local utilities that serve people based on their wealth and location rather than on their needs. By serving wealthier areas rather than targeting needs, the world's poorest people are being denied basic services.

In several cities, the poor are paying up to 2 times more per litre at a utility water kiosk than higher income users with household connections.

Poor households cannot afford water connections as it costs on average 37% of the annual income of a person earning $1.25 a day to get connected.

Policy makers, sector regulators and utility managers don't see the poor as viable customers.

WaterAid is challenging these perceptions and working across the industry to promote the poor as viable customers, who not only have the right to access these basic services, but the will.

Spokespersons:
Idrissa Doucoure, Head of Pan-Africa Unit, WaterAid UK idrissadoucoure@wateraid.org

Timeyin Uwejamomere, Senior Policy Analyst (Urban), WaterAid UK timeyinuwejamomere@wateraid.org

PDF papers available:
Water utilities that work for poor people: A discussion paper produced by WaterAid to identify the key characteristics of pro-poor utilities.

Serving the urban poor: Produced by WaterAid, WSUP and WOP-Africa this is a self-assessment report by African Utilities of their performance in improving pro-poor services. (Also available in French)

Events:
Tuesday March 16: 10:30-13:00, Room 7 (Royal Hall)
Serving the urban poor Master Class: How Utility-CSO synergy is making a difference in urban WASH reforms. This seminar will be lead by Timeyin Uwejamomere, WaterAid Senior Policy Analyst (Urban).

An estimated 198 million people make up the untapped market for potable water in poorer urban areas of Africa. Many of these people are already paying far higher prices per litre than current networked water users. What prevents utilities from recognising this potential market?

Wednesday March 17: 13:00-14:00, Room 5 (Majestic Hall)
WaterAid and WSUP will jointly lead a side event entitled Accelerating water and sanitation connections: Using partnerships to strengthen water utilities pro-poor services.

There is increasing evidence that water utilities can viably extend services to the urban poor. While specific approaches are needed, they can lead to a win-win solution where the “low income” customer enjoys improved access and quality at a lower price, while the utility enjoys increased revenue and reduced losses. This session looks at some examples and is especially relevant for utilities and municipal providers together with their development and funding partners.

Wednesday March 17: 14:00-16:30, Room 3
A paper to be presented on Water-point and sanitation mapping in Southern Africa: Using Google Earth for water Governance?

Media contact:
To interview spokespersons, for background information and copies of reports, or to attend any events, please contact:

Sarah Muzaki, WaterAid Uganda: SarahMuzaki@wateraid.org
Phone: +256 0753588840

Mum's the word!

WaterAid joins fight for safe motherhood this Mother’s Day

WaterAid has announced that it will join the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood on this year's Mother’s Day in the UK to help step up the fight to improve maternal health around the world.

Bringing a child into the world should be a moment of joy and celebration. But for women living in some of the world's poorest countries, with no safe water and sanitation, the journey through pregnancy and childbirth can be difficult and dangerous.

Millions of mums in the developing world are currently at risk of death during pregnancy or in childbirth. In fact, one woman dies every minute around the world from pregnancy related complications. Safe water and sanitation have a crucial role to play in reducing both maternal and child mortality.

According to WaterAid’s head of campaigns, Kate Norgrove: "Joining forces with the White Ribbon Alliance to raise awareness of safe motherhood makes absolute sense for WaterAid. During pregnancy and child birth, access to safe water and sanitation as well as better hygiene practices reduce the risks for mother and child."

She continued: "Whether it is in their homes or at birth centres, every day women are being forced to give birth without safe drinking water or adequate sanitation.

It is a scandalous fact that women and children are denied the protection afforded by these basic services when they are at their most vulnerable. We can’t just sit back and do nothing about this so by partnering with the White Ribbon Alliance, together we can really strive to improve the lives of mothers and their children everywhere."

As the collectors of water, women often have to spend hours each day walking and queuing to collect water. They fill their containers of around 20kg and carry their heavy load home on their head, back or hips. This is a daily task and one that doesn't stop when they are pregnant.

Director of the White Ribbon Alliance in the UK, Brigid McConville said: "I visited communities in Ethiopia with WaterAid and have seen the terrible risks that pregnant women are exposed to. Imagine being nearly nine months pregnant and having to scramble down a ravine each day to fetch water, and then giving birth having only dirty water to use. It doesn't bear thinking about yet this is the reality for millions of women across Africa and elsewhere.

WaterAid joining the White Ribbon Alliance is something to celebrate this Mother's Day as clean water and sanitation are absolutely vital to the health of mothers and newborns the world over."

For more information, to speak to a spokesperson or for high res images of WaterAid’s work including a high res version of the image that accompanies the midwife's story, please contact: annnoon@wateraid.org call 020 7793 4790 or visit the WaterAid website.

WaterAid a 'best 100' small company

WaterAid has been recognised for the first time as one of the top employers in the prestigious 2010 Sunday Times Best 100 Small Companies to Work For list.

A new entry in the top 100, WaterAid was ranked 96th out of 571 small companies and was one of only a handful of charities to make the list, which is compiled from responses to an in-depth employee survey in order to determine the UK’s top workplaces.

Employees at the charity, which works to provide safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation in 26 countries across the developing world, were consulted about key areas of working life including leadership and management, personal growth, teamwork, well-being, pay and benefits, and opportunities to give back to the community.

The results showed that:

• 98% of staff think Wateraid makes a positive difference to the world
• 92% are proud to work for WaterAid
• 79% say they love working for the charity
  

WaterAid was also one of just 140 organisations to achieve a coveted Two Star 'outstanding' status in the 2010 Best Companies Accreditation Scheme, a Michelin star-style rating system which acknowledges companies with high levels of employee engagement.

On hearing the news, Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of WaterAid, said:

"I'm delighted that WaterAid has achieved a place on the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For list for the first time. We will continue to listen to staff and place high importance on engagement levels in order to ensure that WaterAid continues to be a great place to work.

"This is an exciting time for WaterAid as we press ahead with our ambitious new global strategy. It is the hard work and commitment of staff across the organisation that will help us achieve our goal of reaching more people than ever before with safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation."

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For more information, to talk to a spokesperson or for high res images of WaterAid's work, please contact: rachelpilkington@wateraid.org or call +44(0)20 7793 4524.

Ready for a peaks Challenge?

WaterAid is looking for groups of friends and colleagues or corporate teams keen on attempting to climb the six highest peaks in the British Isles in just 72 hours.

They will visit the Isle of Man, Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, scaling a mountain in each location (see map, right).

The event takes place between Friday 2 and Monday 5 July 2010, with participants raising money for clean water and toilets for some of the world's poorest people.

The 6 Peaks Challenge has so far raised £750,000 to help people in 17 developing countries.

The Challenge attracts participants from a diverse range of businesses such as utility companies, engineering and construction, law, banking, shipping, brewing, the fire service and many others. Previous participants agree it's a tough but hugely rewarding challenge.

Jonathan Neame, from the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Kent, was on the winning team in 2009. He said afterwards: "Our team spirits stayed high and completing the challenge for such a worthy cause has given us a great sense of achievement.

"We've had a fantastic response from sponsors, a sign that WaterAid and the 6 Peaks Challenge are held in high regard. It was a strenuous few days, both physically and mentally, but worth every minute."

We're hoping the 2010 6 Peaks Challenge will be our most successful ever. All you need to do to take part is put a team together of between three and six walkers and two drivers, and visit www.wateraidsixpeakschallenge.org.uk for details of how to sign up. We offer support, training weekends and tips on fundraising.

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For more information, to talk to a spokesperson or for high res images of WaterAid's work, please contact Kate Walker on 01904 755741 or 07724 084972.

Tap into WaterAid for World Water Day

Since March 2009 Chris Stewart, owner of the Prince Albert pub in Brighton, has encouraged his customers to make a voluntary donation to WaterAid in return for tap water. Simply by keeping a collection bottle on the bar, Chris has raised over £2,000 in just ten months.

Over 100 establishments across the UK are now part of the Tap into WaterAid campaign where customers are invited to give a voluntary donation of 15 pence to WaterAid for a glass or jug of tap water.

Pubs, restaurants and conference centres have raised over £25,000 since the initiative first began. All funds go towards WaterAid's life-saving water, sanitation and hygiene education projects throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific Region.

Chris said: "We've always collected money for charity but when I went to India and saw the problems there I thought Tap into WaterAid ticked all of the boxes. It's really important, it doesn't cost us anything to do and the money goes where it's most needed. I hope more pubs and restaurants will feel inspired to get involved."

WaterAid is calling on public houses and other establishments across the UK to take part in Tap into WaterAid for one week, starting on World Water Day, which falls on Monday 22 March. Pubs and restaurants as far as Belfast and the Isle of Sky have already signed up their support. See a map here.

WaterAid's Cara Keane, overseeing the project, said:
"We're hoping we will soon see both restaurant managers and customers feeling motivated to join in with Tap into WaterAid. As it costs just £15 for WaterAid to bring safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to someone in poverty, the momentum that we could create through this initiative would literally change lives. Water is life – there's no question of that – choose to Tap into WaterAid."

To find out more, visit www.wateraid.org/tapintowateraid or email tapintowateraid@wateraid.org.