23 February 2018 The Water Fight is all about making clean water and toilets a normal part of schools everywhere.

Lessons are particularly relevant to KS3 Geography, Mathematics and Citizenship, and last approximately an hour - though some activities may require a bit more time to complete.

Pupils are tasked with conducting audits and interviews in order to understand the importance of taps and toilets in schools, and how facilities in the UK have developed over the years.

The case studies then give an insight into what the current toilet and handwashing facilities are like in schools in some of the poorest communities around the world.

The under 18s petition is a great opportunity for your KS3 class to engage in active citizenship; pupils can add their voice to the Water Fight Campaign, which is asking the UK Secretary of State for International Development to make sure all UK Government plans for schools globally include taps and toilets for every child.

10 December 2015 - WaterAid’s new report “Releasing the Flow” , based on research by Development Finance International, concentrates on the capacity to use available funds for water and sanitation in five countries in Sub-Saharan Africa - Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda. The research suggests that effective leadership from government – at national, regional and local level – is a key factor for success.

In all case studies there is evidence that strong political will has translated into positive action on absorption of funds, greater transparency and improved water and sanitation services for people and communities. Other critical factors include the availability of skilled human resources, the balance between recurrent and capital funding for local government, and the quality of co-ordination and communication between major stakeholders.

You can also download the DFI global study.

This analysis is based on the latest trends analysis of GSW data in the GSW 2015 report

MDG target 7.C is to halve the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Between 1990 and 2012, 2.3 billion people have gained access to an improved water source, and the water target was met in 2010 globally (though not in Sub-Saharan Africa). But sanitation is one of the most off track of all MDGs: 2.4 billion people will not have access to adequate sanitation at the end of 2015, virtually the same number as in 1990, and a total of one third of the population. Inadequate progress here has also undermined progress on the health MDGs.

What does the latest GSW data on WASH show?

• Only 10% of countries are meeting targets, spending averages less than 1% of GDP.
• A majority of countries are reducing spending as a percentage of GDP.
• Reaching universal access to WASH will require US$24 billion, plus more to ensure sustainable water management, and much better monitoring of spending for both purposes.

• To read the WASH section of the report click here.
• To see what explains these trends, by understanding the financing behind them, including donor aid performance, click here.
• To see how accessible data are for this sector, click here.

WaterAid's 'Keeping Promises' report is a synthesis of five case studies produced by DFI on financing for the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana, Niger, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda. The report provides in-depth analysis of budgeting, spending and funding gaps on WASH and identifies bottlenecks that are common across the five countries.

To view the report and case studies please visit the WaterAid website.

This report examines the current levels of government spending and aid going to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and why resources are not reaching the people who need them most. It finds that most countries have spending levels way below estimated needs or targets set regionally or globally, and that, among 28 countries reviewed, almost twice as many reduced allocations to WASH in 2009 and 2010 as a % of GDP. Donor funding is also insufficient, unpredictable and off-target. The report recommends key actions for national governments, donors, international agencies and civil society to break the vicious cycle and get off-track countries back on track to meet the MDGs.

Dowload the report