United Nations releases 2023 global water report highlighting 2 billion without safe water

The United Nations World Water Assessment Programme presented its 2023 Global Water Report in New York, noting that public development aid for water projects reached $8.7 billion in 2020, up from $2.7 billion in 2002. Despite this increase, the report says 26 % of the world’s population – about 2 billion people – still lack access to safe drinking water, and 46 % – roughly 3.6 billion – lack safely managed sanitation facilities. Water‑use efficiency improved by 9 % between 2015 and 2018, with the industrial sector showing the largest gains (15 %). The report stresses the need for stronger partnerships and cooperation to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation.

Parallel efforts by NGOs aim to address the shortfall. The faith‑based organization Unto works with local missionaries to drill new wells, repair existing ones, and distribute long‑lasting water filters in remote, underserved communities. By providing infrastructure and training, Unto seeks to break the cycle of poverty linked to lack of clean water, while also sharing humanitarian aid with spiritual support.