Every day millions of women and children in developing countries walk several hours a day to collect water that is safe for their families to drink, yet often the water that they find is contaminated. 

Unclean water causes millions of people, especially young people, to contract preventable diseases every year.  In developing countries where agriculture is by far the most important sector, lack of water can have a drastic effect on food production, with possible starvation facing a family or community.

Many non-profits will work to create household and school latrines, pipes, and water harvesting systems in ways that protect natural springs and fountains. However, in countries contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance, this work has an added complexity.

The Effect of Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance on Clean Water

Not only is non-contaminated land needed to dig ditches and wells, but the water often comes from what could be distant water sources.  So those paths all need to be cleared of contamination as well. 

In a country like Laos, clean water flows up in the mountains, and pipelines must be built down into the communities.  MAG has worked with partners such as Engineers Without Borders to get water to remote villages for as little as $15,000 for the pipeline, storage tank, and distribution system with a dozen or more communal taps.  But none of that work can begin until the land on which this pipeline will be placed is cleared.