Not Enough Water

Almost one billion people are going without clean water today and every day.

What Does This Mean?

  • It means the spread of waterborne diseases.

  • It means diarrhea that kills 150 million children each year.

  • It means children walking to get water instead of going to school.

  • It means a cycle of poverty that no one can break alone.

  • Check out more facts on water worldwide and how it affects people.

Many people in the world’s driest areas with the least water infrastructure (such as wells, water catchment systems, and sanitation systems), walk an average of four miles to reach water sources that are often unclean. But the problem doesn’t stop there. Without water, people don’t have the chance to grow food for their families.

This is not their problem – it is our problem. Jesus said, “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).

What the Church Is Doing To Provide Water for the Thirsty

  • Water Wells

    All over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the church is building tube wells to provide fresh water to communities. Learn more here.

    In Haiti, the church is building water wells and cisterns, installing biosand filters, and providing hygiene and sanitation education to help stem Haiti’s water crisis.

  • Food Security

    Water and food security often go hand in hand. Through church and community project partnerships in places like Malawi, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe, people not only have water to drink, but also water for their crops.

  • Water Purification

    In the Dominican Republic and Guatemala, the church, in partnership with organizations like Aguas de Unidad, has helped establish water purification systems through local congregations. These congregations often run water stores were people in the community can purchase clean, low-cost water.

  • Aquaponics

    NCM, in partnership with the local church and other organizations, is researching new low-water, low-land agricultural systems that could help people grow food for their families.

  • Disaster Response

    During times of disaster, the church responds by getting emergency supplies, such as clean water, where they are needed most. Learn more about how this happened after Haiti’s 2010 earthquake here.

What You Can Do About It

  • Pray

    • Pray for your sisters and brothers around the world who don’t have access to clean water to drink or water to grow food.
    • Pray that God may provide for them and that you may have the opportunity to be a part of God’s plan for all to have enough.

  • Learn

    • Learn about the causes of water shortage and unclean water in the world and about community water solutions.
    • Ask your pastor or missions leader about using the 2011 Living Mission curriculum dedicated to the Church of the Nazarene’s clean water initiatives.
    • Learn about water in your area and what impact your water use has on the environment and people around you.

  • Act

    • Don't sit back and watch the world go thirsty!
    • Start by changing your water habits at home. For some great suggestions on how to begin, check out saveourH2O.org or wateruseitwisely.com.
    • Next, reach out to the world around you. Spread the word about what you have learned—about how God’s children are in need of clean water.

Further Reading

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