English
Reaching an extra 30 million people – your reaction
26th April 2012
Following on from last week’s fantastic news that the UK Government will double its commitment on water and sanitation to reach an extra 30 million people by 2015, we wanted to share some of the messages of celebration that you’ve been sending in.
This incredible result simply wouldn’t have happened without your support and it’s great to see how much it means to you. Please do leave a message in the comments below if you’d like to add your own.
It was encouraging to hear the good news that UK aid for water and sanitation is to be doubled. Marvellous. Water is the number one thing for everyone. That other nations woke up a bit and added their interest and help gives one heart. Perhaps one could start to feel hopeful? Sheila
A truly wonderful result and let’s now hope for the action as soon as possible. It’s certainly time we all realised that provision of clean safe water and sanitation is absolutely vital to lifting people out of poverty. Gwen
This is fantastic news and long awaited. Let’s hope that the drip from the UK turns into a flood from the rest of the world! Chris
This is fantastic news. Let’s hope they keep their promises and in future when we wake up there is no water and sanitation crisis in the world. The world would be a so much nicer place. Chetna
Well done – REALLY well done! NOTHING is more important… security is almost as important, for sure, but no-one can survive without water so lets keep the pressure up! Mrs Betts
Great news – keep up the good work. Many will benefit, and never know the efforts that have engaged by so many, but that is not the point. The point is they will have water – an essential never a luxury. Anon
Wonderful news – I am glad I was able to be a small part of this. We must keep our eyes on things and make a noise if we don’t see a change. Maretta
What fantastic news that is! There is still so much to do, but we have built up some momentum now I think. Tony
This is great news. I am very happy to hear this and happy to participate. Claudia
Brilliant! So glad to have some good news! Amanda
I am as delighted as you are wih the outcome of the SWA High Level Meeting, especially with Andrew Mitchell’s response to the pressure put on him concerning this vital meeting. To double the Government’s targets is a great example to all developed countries to significantly increase their contributions. Wonderful! Anthea
Wow! Amazing news! Am so excited and happy at the turnaround. 3 happy cheers to you!!! Well done everyone. Peace
Wonderful news, congratulations to all the team and supporters. Maura
A truly wonderful result and let’s now hope for the action as soon as possible. It’s certainly time we all realised that provision of clean safe water and sanitation is absolutely vital to lifting people out of poverty. Gwen
This is wonderful news, I am so pleased to see our Government pledge more to water and sanitation to areas in the world that need it. Aileen
Results from the High Level Meeting
23rd April 2012
It’s now been a couple of days since the High Level Meeting and we wanted to gather together some of the great news coming out of Washington DC. We heard lots of important announcements at the meeting but here are some of the key ones in greater detail.
From donor governments:
One last photo before we leave Washington DC
21st April 2012
The Water Works campaign team is heading back from Washington DC today. Before we go, we wanted to share this great photo of Barbara Frost and the UK Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell taken just after the High Level Meeting ended. Barbara presented Mr Mitchell with photos taken by supporters as part of the campaign.
WaterAid Chief Executive Barbara Frost and UK Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell with photos sent in by WaterAid supporters.
Listen: Reflections on Water Works in Washington DC
21st April 2012
After months of campaigning, the 2nd High Level Meeting of the Sanitation and Water for All Partnership is now completed. Ministers from both developing and donor governments made a series of big announcements that will have significant implications for the millions of people living without clean water or safe sanitation.
WaterAid’s Head of Campaigns Fleur Anderson will be heading back to the UK today but before she gets on the plane, she recorded this short clip reflecting on a fantastic week for the Water Works campaign.
Listen to Fleur in the player below or on AudioBoo here.
If you have anything you’d like to ask Fleur about the meeting or the campaign, simply leave a comment below.
Watch: What happened at the High Level Meeting?
21st April 2012
It’s been a dramatic 24 hours for the Water Works campaign at the High Level Meeting in Washington DC. We’ve seen major announcements from both donor and developing countries on both the funding and prioritisation being given to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) coverage. There was significant news from the UK, the US, the Dutch and Australian Governments about their funding for WASH projects around the world and their participation in the Sanitation and Water for All Partnership. Developing countries made commitments for ambitious growth in their provision of WASH coverage that, if achieved, will yield significant results for the world’s poorest.
WaterAid’s Head of Policy Henry Northover has been closely involved with the campaign. We caught up with him after the meeting finished so he could explain some of the highlights of the event.
You can watch Henry in the player below or view it on YouTube here.
If you have any questions or comments for Henry, please leave them below.
Watch: Andrew Mitchell announces UK to double commitment on water and sanitation
21st April 2012
One of the highlights of Friday’s meeting was the announcement by the UK’s Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell. He told delegates that the UK will double the number of people it intends to reach with water, sanitation and hygiene to 60 million by 2015. We’re delighted to hear this only days after our UK campaign team took nearly 10,000 supporter comments to DfID calling for Mr Mitchell to prioritise water, sanitation and hygiene.
WaterAid spoke with Andrew Mitchell immediately after the meeting to find out his thoughts about the meeting and to find out more about the announcement.
You can watch the video below or view it on YouTube here.
You can read WaterAid’s reaction to the announcement here.
Watch: Barbara Frost after the High Level Meeting
21st April 2012
The High Level Meeting has just finished so we caught up with our Chief Executive Barbara Frost to get her reflections on how the afternoon went.
You can watch the video below or view it on YouTube here
If you have any comments or questions for Barbara, please leave them below
Live: Latest news and views from the High Level Meeting
20th April 2012
The day of the High Level Meeting has arrived and WaterAid staff around the world are making last preparations before the event starts at 2pm (EST) / 7pm (BST).
More than 70 finance and water ministers from developing countries and representatives from the UK, US, EU, Australia and Sweden will begin their discussions this afternoon and we’ll be covering the event live as the day progresses.
We’re using a tool called Storify to cover the events. You should be able to view this below or you can see it directly on their site here. We’ll be using tweets, YouTube clips, AudioBoos and lots more. If you want to contribute your views, post a comment on this blog or tweet @wateraid with you comment and the hashtag #sw4all.
Statue of Liberty plays her part for water and sanitation
20th April 2012
To fight the water and sanitation crisis, everyone needs to play their part.
As world leaders arrive in America to discuss water and sanitation at Friday’s High Level Meeting, we’ve enlisted the Statue of Liberty to show just how important clean water and safe toilets are:
The Statue of Liberty is playing her part for water and sanitation. Will you?
We’ve just released this image to newspapers and broadcasters around the world and we need your help to spread the word that Lady Liberty is on our side in the fight for better prioritisation of water and sanitation. We want you to share this image with as many people as possible so please post this image on social networks like Twitter and Facebook and send it to all your friends and family over email.
If you’re Tweeting, you could use the following Tweet:
“Check out America’s biggest celebrity, supporting @WaterAid #WaterWorks campaign today! http://www.waterworks.me #sw4all”.
Once you’ve shared the photo, please make sure you’ve signed our pledge to take action and hold your Government to account for promises made at the High Level Meeting.
Watch our video for the SWA sector ministers meeting
19th April 2012
In just over an hour, ministers responsible for water and sanitation in developing countries will attend a pre-meeting ahead of tomorrow’s HLM. As supporters of Water Works, we wanted to offer you an exclusive preview of a short film we’ll be showing at the meeting. The film shows the life and death implications of dirty water and inadequate sanitation and outlines why millions of people desperately need change.
Please watch the video in the player below and then share this with friends and family. We need to make sure that world leaders know that these meetings are being watched – please send it on to as many friends as possible.
If you’ve not done so already, please take action and pledge to hold your government to account for any promises made this week.