10 Things to Know About Water and Hunger

Water is normally associated with thirst. But it’s closely tied to hunger too.

The connection is becoming more obvious as churches in impoverished areas grapple with the global food crisis. While they work to meet families’ increased nutrition needs, unequal access to safe water is making their job even harder.

Here are 10 facts you should know about the dangerous intersection of unsafe water and malnutrition — and how we can unite as the global Church to work toward safe water for all people.

The collision of the global food crisis with unsafe water and poor sanitation is placing children’s lives at risk.

1. As severe malnutrition and the risk of waterborne disease collide, children’s lives are at risk unless urgent support is provided.¹
2. Up to 50% of malnutrition cases are linked to chronic diarrhea, parasites and other infections caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. These conditions leave children unable to absorb nutrients properly, regardless of the food they eat.²
3. Because of this, access to safe water and sanitation are just as important as food for children and families facing food insecurity.³

Compassion works in countries hit by the food crisis that also lack access to safe water.

4. In Ethiopia, Burkina Faso and Uganda, roughly half the population lacks access to safe drinking water.¹
5. In Kenya, Togo and Haiti, roughly a third of the country has no access to basic drinking water.¹
6. A malnourished child is more vulnerable to the impact of preventable waterborne diseases like cholera, making the illnesses more dangerous to their health.

When safe water comes to a community, everything changes.

7. When children have access to safe water and sanitation, they spend less time sick and more time playing and learning. They and their families are no longer forced to spend hours collecting water.
8. Compassion’s water solutions are facilitated by our local church partners, who have built decades of trust and relationships within their communities.
9. Community ownership and education are key to a successful, sustainable project that provides access to safe water. As part of the project, the community is empowered with knowledge about hygiene, sanitation and water storage.
10. The water projects have far-reaching effects, often benefiting the community and not just people in Compassion’s program.

Sources:

• ¹ https://www.unicef.org/media/114636/file/SOWC-2021-full-report-English.pdf
• ² https://www.wateraid.org/au/articles/water-and-sanitation-essential-to-fighting-malnutrition
• ³ https://www.unicef.org/stories/4-things-you-need-know-about-water-and-famine