Zambia

One third of the population of Zambia has no direct access to drinking water. Contaminated water and insufficient hygiene facilitate the spread of diarrhoea and cholera, which are a major cause of death among children under five. People affected must invest considerable time and energy to secure water and maintain proper hygiene, with children often missing school as a result. For girls in particular, inadequate hygiene conditions are a key reason for not attending school during their periods. These issues can ultimately lead to children dropping out of school altogether. The Salvation Army aims to improve the health and living conditions of 70,000 people by ensuring access to drinking water. Water boreholes and pumps are opening up new water sources, clean toilets are being built, and health campaigns are being launched to raise awareness among the population. In the long term, the project will help improve the water supply and reduce waterborne illnesses. It will also lead to improvements in nutrition, the quality of school education, and protection against infectious diseases.