Our Response In response to the lack of clean water sources in Lao PDR, World Vision is partnering with local government and communities to install accessible water pumps and sanitation systems such as hygienic toilets that are easily maintained. World Vision also provides education and assistance to communities so they are able to take greater responsibility for their own needs. Water management committees are established at the village level to ensure the sustainability and ownership of water and sanitations systems. What are the challenges? Lack of access to clean water contributes to keeping whole communities in poverty and causes serious illnesses such as diarrhea, the biggest cause of child death in Lao PDR today. Currently, only half of the population has access to safe drinking water, and less than half to safe sanitation facilities. Communities lacking access to clean water make use of water sources such as springs, rivers, ponds that provide excess water during wet season. However, this excess water often causes flooding and becomes contaminated while overflowing. During the dry season (October – June) the water level is reduced almost to nothing. Water quality from these natural sources is usually poor, often bringing high incidences of cholera, diarrhea and other water-borne diseases that mainly affect children. In addition to dirty water, the process of fetching water from unclean sources also presents many physical dangers for women and children. Water sources are often located far distances from villages requiring women and children to travel through treacherous terrain to reach them, especially in the mountainous Northern provinces. During the wet season, women and children are prone to accidents while scaling steep and often muddy hillsides going to and from the spring. While walking to springs, women and children are exposed to winding mountain roads and blind curves frequented by speeding buses and trucks. Due to the lack of water storage facilities at home and their ability to carry only limited amounts per trip, many women and children have to collect water multiple times a day further increasing their risk of injury. The lack of an accessible clean water source also serves as a major hindrance to community development. As a result of the time and effort women and children expend fetching water, they are unable to do any other productive activities. Women are kept away from contributing to their household’s livelihood, such as working in the fields and selling their products at market. Children are prevented from attending school regularly as they spend the bulk of their days fetching water; water that could lead to illness. | 
