Shailesh Vara MP met with representatives of WaterAid at the House of Commons to discuss the lack of clean water and proper sanitation for millions of people in some of the world’s poorest countries.

WaterAid is an international charity dedicated to increasing access to clean water, decent sanitation, and better hygiene for all. Operating in 22 countries, the charity installs clean water systems such as wells, taps and toilets where they are most needed; in addition to their work training local people to manage and maintain them.

Since 1981, WaterAid has helped 28.5 million people with clean water, 29 million with decent toilets and 27.8 million with good hygiene.

Globally, one newborn dies every minute from infections caused by a lack of clean water and an unclean environment, and a child under 5 dies from diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor toilets every two minutes.

Mr Vara discussed the importance of collaborating with communities to raise awareness of the issues, and the need for continued global support to ensure that there is accessibility of clean water, toilets and proper hygiene practices for those who need it.

Following the meeting, Mr Vara said:

"It is clear that continued action is needed to ensure that many more millions of people are able to have access to clean water and better sanitation.

“It is good to see WaterAid working to improve the life chances of some of the poorest people in the world, and it is important for the UK to continue working with our international partners to support such efforts.

“In the UK, we take such matters for granted, but this is a life-or-death issue for far too many.”

Photo: Rt Hon Shailesh Vara MP with a representative of WaterAid