884 million people don’t have access to clean drinking water.

2.6 billion lack something as basic as a toilet and a sewage system to flush away their waste.

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. (Matthew 10:42)

443 million school days are lost every year as a result of water - and sanitation-related diseases.

Unsafe or inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene results in over 1.7 million deaths annually – more than from all forms of violence, including war.

“Drinking river water gave my children diarrhoea and stomach pains.”Marian, 39, Zimbabwe

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.”

Luke 7:44

“I get so frustrated when I’m standing in the water queue. I panic because I imagine my vegetables are getting destroyed by the sun”.

Judith, 38, Zimbabwe

“Families have to make tough decisions when their harvests fail about how much they can eat, how many meals a day to miss...”

Edmund, 45, Zimbabwe

“Water is very precious, it should be shared by all the people on earth” Zimi, 10, Zimbabwe

Together, we can turn the tide on water poverty...

... all it takes are the simplest actions.

cafod.org.uk/lent

God,Help us to become fountains of living waterIn the midst of a thirsting world.Amen.

Prayer adapted from Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI.