Since 2017, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has been partnering with UNICEF to bring clean water to the East African nation of Burundi, where nearly half the population lack access to clean water.
The shortage of safe drinking water in Burundi presents a health crisis for the nation's children in particular — water and sanitation-related diseases such as diarrhea are one of the biggest causes of death for children under five around the world.
“Safe water for a community is a shield against water-borne diseases,” says UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene specialist Haladou Mahaman.
Poor access to clean water also undermines a community’s social development: children often miss receiving an education as they make long journeys to fetch clean water.
In Burundi, the burden of fetching water falls disproportionately onto girls and women.
“I am pregnant and I can’t walk very fast. In the last three months of my pregnancy, it will be more difficult for me to walk this long distance,” said Beatrice, 22, who walks nearly four hours every day to collect and carry over 5 gallons of water from the nearest pump.
Having to trek many hours alone has also exposed a number of young women to sexual violence.
“Since the launch of BEYGOOD4BURUNDI, we have helped build and rehabilitate 84 water points, ultimately delivering clean, safe water to over 30,000 Burundians,” said a statement on Beyoncé’s website.
Check out @UNICEFUSA’s Tweet with a video on the BEYGOOD4BURUNDI project below:
Water is a right, not a privilege.
Agree? Join us, make a donation and help bring clean, safe water to children in Burundi with @BeyGOOD and founding supporter @ChimeforChange: https://t.co/CgdW78JZTW
#BEYGOOD4BURUNDI
pic.twitter.com/UPiCTKUz28— UNICEF USA (@UNICEFUSA) March 19, 2019
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