WORLD WATER DAY: A bucket, a bar of soap and a few water purification tablets can save the lives of malnourished children.
Action Against Hunger has developed the TISA project, focused on combating child malnutrition in Senegal through water sanitation.
Madrid, March 20, 2025. Aissata Dia, a mother and beneficiary of the TISA project in Podor, Senegal, has experienced firsthand the effects of lack of access to clean water. When one of her sons fell ill, the doctor warned her that his health was weak and gave her sachets of plumpy'nut along with a hygiene kit containing a bucket, soap and water purification tablets. He explained that she should fill the bucket with water and add a tablet, leaving it to act for 30 minutes before giving it to her son. Now, the whole family drinks the water and it prevents them from possible diseases such as diarrhea that lead to malnutrition.
Picture: Action Against Hunger
Every day, 13,800 children die from preventable causes, and almost half of these deaths are related to malnutrition. Hunger cannot be eradicated without ensuring access to clean water. That is why Action Against Hunger has developed the TISA project, focused on improving the effectiveness of outpatient treatment of severe acute malnutrition through access to clean water in Senegal. TISA attacks the root of the problem with a preventive approach based on water purification, improved sanitation and the promotion of good hygiene practices. Aimed at children aged 6-59 months, the project provides the "TISA kit", which includes aquatabs to make water safe, three bars of soap, a 20-liter bucket, awareness-raising messages and home visits to prevent the consumption of contaminated water.
The TISA project has shown that water sanitation significantly reduces diarrhea in children and caregivers, reduces fecal contamination of water, and improves water quality in households. Diarrheal diseases, along with intestinal worm and parasite infections, hinder nutrient absorption, reduce appetite and lead to dehydration. Every year, 485,000 people die from diarrhea caused by lack of access to safe water and sanitation.
Picture: Action Against Hunger
According to Pablo Alcalde, head of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene at Action Against Hunger since 2005, the project has made it possible to "reduce the environmental factors that affect water quality and minimize the intake of fecal matter. The results are positive and we continue to research sustainable solutions for household access to drinking water.
Access to water and hygiene not only save lives, but are the foundation of health and well-being. As Binta Marre, a mother and beneficiary of the TISA project in Diambo, Senegal, says: "Health is the firstborn of wealth, and cleanliness is the mother of health, hence the need to start with cleanliness to overcome disease."
Action Against Hunger's commitment to access to water
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs account for 35% of Action Against Hunger's interventions in the 50 countries where it operates. In the last year alone, has brought access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene to 7 million people.
In Niger, we have distributed hygiene and sanitation kits to 90,000 people, ensuring safer and more dignified living conditions. In Syria, more than 200,000 people in Al-Hasakah receive clean water daily, mitigating the impact of drought and attacks on the Alouk water station. In Gaza, between October and December 2023, our water and sanitation actions benefited 307,845 families through cleaning, infrastructure repair, kit distribution, waste management and water transportation.
Action Against Hunger remains committed to ensuring access to safe water and sanitation, essential elements for the dignity and health of the most vulnerable communities.
