The Water Crisis in Haiti

One-third of the nation lacked access to safe water before the January 12, 2010 earthquake. In the months following the quake, the situation became devastating. A study by the World Health Organization found that infectious diarrhea caused by unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation was the second leading cause of death in Haiti, and the top cause for children under five years old. Access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation continues to be one of the greatest needs to prevent an epidemic of water-related deaths. Health and sanitation.

 

Unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation cause 80% of diseases and kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses.

 

90% of the 42,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are to children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation

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