It is estimated that 330 million people in sub-sahara Africa are forced to rely on unsafe drinking water for their basic needs. About 565 million people lack access to improved sanitation, leaving the region at the frontline of this crisis.

The consequences are severe: diarrheal diseases caused by dirty water, lack of poor hygiene and toilets are now the world’s biggest killer of African children ,taking more young lives than HIV/AIDS, malaria and measles combined .

During the month of March, people across the world embarked on a walk to call on governments to put an end to the water and sanitation crisis. They were demanding politicians to take action to tackle preventable diarrheal diseases. Lesotho was no exception.
Led by WASH united Lesotho and guided by its country coordinator Technologies for Economic Development (TED), the 6 km walk started at 08:30 a.m. at the Lesotho High School compound and went around the city and back to Lesotho High School.
 

Participants walking the 6km as a symbol to show the long distances women and children walk to get water .

The event was attended by about 500 children, women and school teachers and was filled with fun and games and organizations working on issues of water raising awareness on the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene.

Founded in 2009 ,WASH united is a unique coalition that brings together local and international NGOs ,United Nations agencies ,governments and leading actors from the world of football ,including players and clubs to promote safe drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for all people, everywhere. In Lesotho, WASH united is coordinated by TED, whose focus is on renewable energies and sustainable sanitation, climate protection and bio-diversit