Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.

GIST works with communities across the globe to increase access to clean water, aiming to meet the rising challenges that climate change and the inequitable control of resources has on freshwater resources. As the frequency and intensity of natural disasters rise and the availability of clean water falls, the need for lasting, scalable solutions grows in order for communities to cope amid crisis, adapt to emerging challenges, and thrive into the future.

Working alongside our partners and communities across the globe, GIST reached more than 8.3 million people in 2023 with programs that improve people’s access to clean water. The impact of water access extends beyond the health of people—it’s fundamental to a community’s ability to grow nutritious food, improve livelihoods, and build resilience against the consequences of the climate crisis.

Delivering solutions to cope during crisis

GIST rapidly responds in communities grappling with emergencies, providing lifesaving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Our team also works with communities to minimize disruptions of water services and to ensure local partners are able to sustainably and reliably continue providing clean water for the long term.