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WaterAid UK
@wateraid.bsky.social
1.7K followers 350 following 63 posts
WaterAid has one goal: to change the world through clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene 💦 www.wateraid.org/uk
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"Some progress made - but a frustrating and dangerous standstill on climate action and finance."

After two weeks, lengthy negotiations at #COP30 have finally come to a close.

Read our snapshot analysis: 🔗 wateraid.org/uk/media/sta...
On a blue background, white text quote from Sol Oyuela, WaterAid's Executive Director for Global Policy and Campaigns, responds to the COP30 outcome: “Far more needs to be done, and it is deeply frustrating, and frankly dangerous, that the wider package agreed fails those most impacted by climate change. Progress cannot stall here: we need clear increases in finance, tangible adaptation actions and a step-change in ambition on mitigation. “The climate crisis won’t pause for geopolitics. The floods, droughts and cyclones intensified by a warming world demand to be confronted now, not passed on to future generations. “Now we have the framework, we need the finance to implement it. We urge the international community to harness the momentum of the past two weeks, regroup, and triple adaptation finance so we can close the financing gap. “Millions of lives, livelihoods - and the legacy we leave behind - hang in the balance.”
November 22, 2025 at 9:03 PM
wateraid.bsky.social
Live from #COP30:

Sol Oyuela, our executive director for Global Policy & Campaigns, tells @theguardian.com that climate change is an international health emergency, directly threatening global health security – and no country is immune.
A screenshot from the Guardian's live blog from COP30, on a background of water droplets. The text reads: More on the links between the climate crisis and global health from Sol Oyuela, executive director for Global Policy & Campaigns at WaterAid UK, after Al Gore’s’ remarks on Bill Gates’ shifting position earlier. Oyuela, who is in Belem, reiterated that it was impossible to separate tackling public health and addressing the climate emergency. “Climate change is an international health emergency, directly threatening global health security – and no country is immune. “When extreme weather strikes, water sources run dry or become contaminated and toilets overflow, fuelling deadly outbreaks like cholera and malaria, as well as dehydration and heat stress. And it’s the people least to blame who are paying the highest price - now 15 times more likely to die from floods, droughts, and storms. “Cost-effective solutions exist, from flood defences to drought-resilient water systems. Now, COP30 must be the COP where we embed life-saving water, sanitation and hygiene solutions into climate and health plans and reach historic agreement on the new adaptation goal. “These are life-and-death decisions that will shape the health of millions for years to come - the stakes could not be higher.”
November 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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Sir Stephen Fry and Adjoa Andoh MBE put water centre stage in Water Can’t Wait, our brand-new film launched ahead of #COP30.

Joined by Mya-Rose Craig and Dr Vee, they remind us that the climate crisis is a water crisis.
November 6, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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We've taken more than 30,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street, calling for urgent action on the water and climate crisis.

Now, it's over to the UK government to prioritise the money, skills and technology needed to deliver real change at #COP30.

www.wateraid.org/uk/get-invol...
October 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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£110 million in 2020
£78 million in 2021
£45 million in 2022
£37 million in 2023
£26 million in 2024

This is how much the UK government has cut WASH spending in four years, in the face of a global water crisis.

In response to FCDO’s new ODA statistics, Tim Wainwright, WaterAid UK’s CE responds:
September 19, 2025 at 8:58 AM
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As temperatures soar across the UK, we bet Government officials can't wait to get their hands on a glass of ice cold water 🥵

Maybe it'll remind them that clean water is vital for surviving extreme weather.

If it doesn't, remind them by signing our open letter: www.wateraid.org/uk/get-invol...
June 20, 2025 at 3:04 PM
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"The G7 just overlooked a $200 billion problem in the global economy."

Justin Murgai, CEO of WaterAid Canada, calls on world leaders to prioritise water.

Despite its clear link to economic stability and national security, water was disappointingly absent from every G7 outcome statement.
A man in a blue shirt and blue waistcloth carries a large bundle of plants on his head - his face is almost obscured. In the background is a wide dirt road with a green field to one side.
June 18, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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🚨UK Government ‘turning off the taps for millions’ with aid cuts

Today, the UK Chancellor has confirmed cuts to overseas aid, with Official Development Assistance spending set to stay at 0.3% of GNI until 2027. WaterAid UK's Chief Executive, Tim Wainwright responds⬇️ www.wateraid.org/uk/media/uk-...
June 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
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Girls face significant barriers to completing school – having a period shouldn't be one of them!

With period-friendly schools, all who menstruate can have:

- Better school attendance.
- More opportunities in work and leadership.
- Greater confidence and gender equality.

#MenstrualHygieneDay
A girl in a dark green headscarf stares directly at the camera. In the background, is a classroom with other girls - there is a girl in a pink headscarf and facemask visible but blurred. The classroom is made of corrugated steel. There is a blue teardrop that reads, 122 million girls are out of school today. The caption is Hawa in Bangladesh, WaterAid/ Rakibul Alam Khan
May 28, 2025 at 8:51 AM
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When people who menstruate have access to clean water, decent toilets, good hygiene and education, they can manage their periods with safety and dignity.

This helps girls stay in school longer and has a knock-on effect on the rest of their lives.

#MenstrualHealthDay #MenstruationMatters
Two people (Salmatou and Traore) wash their hands from a bucket tap in Burkina Faso in front of a yellow school building. Salmatou is wearing a blue and white striped skirt and a blue tshirt and Traore is wearing a red and black dress.
May 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
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🩸 Here's what people need when they're on their period:

• Clean water
• Decent toilets
• Hygiene services
• Sanitary products
• Accurate information about menstruation

All these things help women, girls and all who menstruate stay healthy, feel confident and challenge taboos.

#MenstrualHygiene
A girl in a grey tshirt (Pushpa in Nepal) with a smiley face on it stands in front of a yeloow wall that is displaying period information. The caption reads, "With access to period products, information and clean water, sanitation and hygiene, millions of girls can stay in school." The photo is credited to WaterAid/Ram Saran Tamang.
May 26, 2025 at 5:05 AM
wateraid.bsky.social
Q: What would transform healthcare for mothers and their babies?

A: Access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene in healthcare facilities.

At the World Health Assembly in Geneva, we're calling on world leaders to invest in these life-saving essentials.

#WHA78 #WorldHealthAssembly
A baby wrapped in a green and red blanket looks away from the camera. The text reads, every year, more than one million mothers and babies die from preventable infections.
May 23, 2025 at 10:57 AM
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Governments have the power to save the lives of millions of mothers and newborn babies and slow the spread of superbugs.

This year at the World Health Assembly, we are calling on governments to invest in and include water, sanitation and hygiene in their national health policies.

#WHA78
A visibly pregnant woman in a blue t-shirt with stars on it and a wrap stands against a brick wall. The quote reads, "I worry about taking long journeys to the river in the middle of the night to bathe. It's disheartening to have this feeling when I'm supposed to feel happy and hopeful to have a child."
May 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
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This week at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, we're calling on world leaders to invest in clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for mothers and babies everywhere.

#WorldHealthAssembly #WHA78 #MaternalHealth
A woman in a blue and purple floral patterned dress holds an expectant belly in her hands. The credit reads Hazel in Zambia, WaterAid/Cian Oba-Smith
May 19, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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Hundreds of people all over the world have signed-up to our climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene services course.

Join them here 👉 mailchi.mp/ircwash/clim...
A group of people in blue vests walk on a street. The sun is bright, there are palm trees in the background and five people - mostly smiling and looking away from the camera.
May 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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A response to the International Development Committee meeting [1/2] 👇

Support for women & girls alongside access to water, sanitation & hygiene is not charity. It's a critical investment in our shared global future.

Women & girls' lives cannot be gambled in the UK Government's political game.
A screenshot featuring excerpts from Baroness Chapman's address to the International Development Committee, stating that "the days of viewing the UK government as a global charity were over" and, in reference to plans for programmes focusing on women and girls she "can't promise to protect every good programme".
May 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
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When designing climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene programmes, it is essential to involve those disproportionally impacted by climate change in decisions about adaptation.

Find out how in our latest e-learning course.
👉 mailchi.mp/ircwash/clim...
A woman in a green tshirt holds a baby and smiles with her eyes closed in front of a green door.
May 1, 2025 at 2:26 PM
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A new UN report has revealed widespread drying across Europe.

Yet low-income communities are still the most at risk from climate change – which increases pressure on water access and sanitation systems.

Read our research: washmatters.wateraid.org/publications...
A map of central Europe. The text over it reads "Europe is the fastest warming continent according to a new UN report. 2024 was its hottest year on record." Navy text on a cream background. The text reads "This supports our latest climate research, which showed a drying trend throughout Europe."
April 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
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How can policy makers integrate water, sanitation and hygiene in climate change agendas?

It’s a good question and we’ve got some answers. Take our course on climate-resilient services to find out.

👉 www.ircwash.org/climate-resi...
A cream square with blue writing that says, "the climate crisis is a water crisis," with a blue wave.
April 14, 2025 at 10:42 AM
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A pivotal moment for global action on water!

Yesterday, ministers from seven countries and representatives from the UN and the World Bank came together to tackle the global water crisis at a roundtable hosted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, supported by WaterAid.

Change starts with water!
March 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
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We are deeply honoured that our Patron, His Majesty The King, hosted a Reception at Buckingham Palace last night, to unite young leaders and changemakers to drive action on water and climate change.

Together, we can create a brighter, more resilient future for all.

Change starts with water.
March 14, 2025 at 1:06 PM
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Water emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe.

🌍 Our new research reveals which of the world’s 100 most populated cities are becoming increasingly exposed to floods and droughts – risking the security and survival of communities around the world ▶️
washmatters.wateraid.org/publications...
March 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM
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The world needs change. Start with water.

#ChangeStartsWithWater
March 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
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No woman should risk her life when giving birth.

Yet every two seconds, a woman delivers in a healthcare facility without adequate water, sanitation and hygiene.

Every mother has the right to a clean, safe birth.

Read more in today's print edition of @theguardian.com

#IWD2025
A woman and a baby sit on a bench. The woman is wearing a blue and white headwrap and the baby is wearing a brown t-shirt. In the background is a bulletin board.
March 7, 2025 at 11:51 AM
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Gender equality starts with clean water.

When women and girls have access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, they can go to school, do paid work, manage their periods safely and be protected from infections during childbirth.

#InternationalWomensDay #IWD2025 #CleanWater
Three girls in headscarves smile at each other. Girl on the left is in a pink dress, with a beige headscarf, middle is in a pink dress with a pink and orange headscarf and the girl on the right is in a blue dress with a light orange and white headscarf. All the girls appear to be teenagers and are leaning against a wooden balcony. In the background is an unfinished roof and corrugated metal sheets.
March 5, 2025 at 9:54 AM