Local residents gather to collect water from a nearby community well. More than 2.4 million people die every year from diarrhea and other water-related illnesses because they don’t have safe, sustainable water and sanitation. This crisis persists, in part,
because the financial services that could help vulnerable populations pay for water and sanitation remain largely unavailable to the poor. A 2008 study found that by investing in these financial services saw an impact on reduction in diarrhea, child malnourishment,
and energy and time spent collecting water from safer sources. (Ada, Ghana, 2010)
