Access to clean water saves lives, John, and it's more critical than ever while communities continue to face the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Ever since the closest water borehole broke in Martha's* community in South Sudan, she has had to travel to another borehole that's farther away to fill up buckets with clean water and carry them back home – all so she and her family can wash their hands.

"After learning about the importance of handwashing, we make sure small children wash their hands once they come home after playing, and again before they eat food," Martha said.

To help increase access to clean water and sanitation resources in communities like Martha's, our Hygiene Behavior Change Coalition (HBCC) is supplying water storage tanks as well as distributing hygiene products like soap. This effort is part of our broader goal to equip vulnerable communities with the supplies and information they need to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"We are very grateful for the support of Save the Children for providing us with soaps and educating us on how to wash our hands properly so we can stay healthy," Martha said.

Through the HBCC, our teams will reach over 40 million children and their communities in nine countries: Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan and Yemen.

Clean water couldn't play a bigger role in the health and safety of children around the world, and it's your support that helps ensure they get access to it. Thank you so much for all you do to help us provide lifesaving resources and care to the children who need them most – it really does create change that lasts a lifetime.

Save the Children