It might be difficult to imagine our day-to-day lives without clean drinking water, but unfortunately, that is the reality for one in 10 people around the globe. At Stop Hunger Now, we know that sustainable sources of clean, safe drinking water are key to breaking the cycle of poverty. When people no longer need to spend hours each week traveling to and from clean water sources, their time is freed up to devote to attending school or earning wages.
Clean water is especially critical in the wake of natural and man-made disasters. After four consecutive weeks of heavy rain in the north coast of the Dominican Republic in late 2016, Stop Hunger Now partner CitiHope International responded by distributing supplies, including water filters and Stop Hunger Now meals, to those impacted by the flooding. Tens of thousands of residents were displaced, but for recipients of these crucial supplies, nutrition and clean water were two fewer barriers to recovery.
The water filters we ship alongside our meals to people in need worldwide are portable, inexpensive and easy to use, with a shelf life of 10 years and the ability to filter more than 100 gallons a day. When we distribute water filters, we work with partner organizations to train community health promoters on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program. This globally adopted training program, known as WASH, teaches best practices on water, sanitation and hygiene issues, leading to improved health and life expectancy. Stop Hunger Now also assists communities by supporting the construction of community latrines and drilling wells.

Ensuring sustainable access to clean water is a key element of our sustainable development initiatives around the globe. Empowering communities to break the cycle of poverty is #HowWeRise.