Access to clean water is a basic human right.
Yet millions of people across the world still do not have access.
Here is what we are doing to change that.
Togo, West Africa
Wells

Many places in Togo, West Africa, lack a supply of clean water. This is especially so in the northern areas of the country. Water scarcity often means that village children and women have to walk, at least daily, to the nearest river which may be a 3 kilometers journey. And the water there may not be clean! On each trip they carry 25 liters of water weighing 25 kgs on their heads. Imagine spending six hours a day carrying water for drinking, cooking and washing.
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So far in 2025 Shelter Now was able to sink 9 wells in the driest areas in the north of Togo and also Benin, for the first time. We plan to instal 4 more wells of up to 60 metres deep. But more are needed. Some shallower wells are typically 14 meters deep. Much of the digging is carried out by hand except where rock is encountered. Then local officials assist by providing dynamite to blast through the rock.
Each well costs about AUD 4,000 and provides water for about 300 people. The ladies especially are delighted not to have to spend so many hours a day just carrying water on their heads from the nearest rivers. The well water also proves to be much cleaner compared to the river water.
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Afghanistan Water

Afghanistan is a very arid country. There is enough water in the high mountains of the province Badakhshan, but as it flows unprotected through the villages it becomes polluted and can cause sicknesses.The water source is clean spring water, piped down the villages. Health and hygine are trained in the villages where spring water is provided.
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In the central an south areas of Afghanistan, wella need to be extremely deep to reach ground water. 60 meters deep is not uncommon in the non-mountainous areas. As such, Shelter hires out massively strong equipment.
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​Together with the local villagers Shelter Now installs water pipes from the wellspring to the village, making it possible for the village to enjoy fresh, clean drinking water throughout the whole year.​
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