More than a billion people in the world do not have clean water to drink. More than twice as many lack proper toilets.

• Dirty water and poor sanitation kill 5,000 children every day.
• Safe water on tap reduces the risk of disease and lifts the daily burden of fetching water.

Esther Akales used to walk 3 kilometres every morning and carry 20 litres home in a jerrycan on her head. In her village in northern Kenya, there were many cases of diarrhoea and typhoid. Then Esther and other villagers helped lay a pipeline to bring clean water to their community.

“Our health is more vibrant now we use tap water. Since the water is nearer, we have more free time to weave baskets,” Esther says.

For girls, sanitation can mean the difference between going to school and no education. Girls risk being attacked or abused if their school lacks proper toilets. To stay safe, millions do not go to school - and miss out on education that would lead to better jobs in the future.

Clean water and basic sanitation are essential for ensuring health and preventing hunger. Without them, poverty cannot be beaten.

• Find out more about DFID's work to improve water and sanitation in the developing world.
• Britain recognises everyone’s right to safe water. That's why we support the Global Action Plan on water and sanitation(610 kb).