The World’s Drinking Glass Is More Than Half Full

Throughout the developing world, about 700 million people have acquired household access to drinking water since 1999. According to the WHO and UNICEF, more than half of people around the globe now have drinking water piped into their homes. In rural developing regions, women typically collect household water. Eliminating the trek to and from the nearest water source, sometimes up to ten miles away, means women have more time to care for children and contribute to their communities. However, Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and Oceania are falling behind on meeting water goals, and poor sanitation threatens clean-water sources. In Africa, struggling economies, war-torn infrastructure, and the AIDS crisis mean that little money remains for other causes. Still a basic service such as less expensive water, combined with improved sanitation, can reduce hygiene-related illnesses, improve school attendance, and ease the debilitating cycle of urban poverty. – YaleGlobal