water

Over the last years armed groups have spread over the Sahel region causing a humanitarian and security crisis, and devastating lives. Humanitarian needs have exploded in Burkina Faso, with 2.2 million people in need of assistance. They are in desperate need of food, shelter, and healthcare, but most urgently they need water. You can help.

In rich countries, clean water is so plentiful and easily available that we simply take it for granted. Yet around the world, diseases from unsafe water kill more people each year than any other cause, making this one of the world’s most urgent health issues. Water is central to almost every aspect of Oxfam’s work.

Since June 2013, Oxfam in Syria has been working to address the immediate live-saving and sustainable water and sanitation needs of thousands of crisis-affected women, men, girls and boys. We are providing support in 12 governorates across the country.

The Fizi territory, in the South Kivu region, is one of the most inaccessible places of DRC. And here, Oxfam is building a 96-kilometers-long gravity-fed water supply system, that taps into a river source in Mitumba mountain ranges. The project will reduce the burden on women and girls and leave them with more time to go to school and undertake other responsibilities in the community.

Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent, but it is the world’s most vulnerable people who are hit the hardest. In the south of Niger, Oxfam works on sustainable income generating activities to make the population more resilient to climate change and food insecurity.

Damage to roads, bridges and the airport, is still hampering response efforts in Indonesia, with limited supplies getting through. However, we're working as quickly as we can, delivering hygiene, clean water and shelter materials in Palu and other affected areas. Here are three examples of the vital aid we’re providing to those most in need.

The emergency system for distributing clean water in Palu is under strain as thousands of people spend an eleventh night sleeping outdoors.

Oxfam and partners are providing clean drinking water to three indigenous communities in Rizal where people have walked six hours by foot to reach the town center.

At Oxfam, we are supporting Rohingya women and girls to overcoming the challenges they face such as insecurity and limited abillity to influence decisions in their communities. Discover how our gender-based humanitarian programs are contributing to creating an environment where women and girls are listened to and valued.

One year after Mosul was retaken from ISIS, thousands of people are still unable to return home as parts of the city remain severely damaged and lack running water or electricity.