UNIQLO x charity: water
Since November 2019, UNIQLO has globally committed to charity: water, to fund clean water projects. As of February 2023, 72,652 people have been served with clean, safe water in Cambodia, India, Malawi, Madagascar, Uganda and Bangladesh. In 2024, 19 projects sponsored by UNIQLO Europe have been completed in Cambodia and Bangladesh - bringing clean water to 3388 people. UNIQLO Europe also donated 36 000 € to bring clean water to over 900 people in Kenya, Ethiopia and Cambodia by 2027. Learn more about the projects here.
Our impact
Cambodia
Water fact: nearly 80% of Cambodia's population lives in
rural areas, collecting water from open surface ponds full
of human waste and microbial contamination.
Population: 16.59 million
Percentage who lack clean water: 27% (rurally)
India
Water fact: the Indian government is working to bring piped
water to every household in India by 2024. Our local
partners are supporting these efforts and more.
Population: 1.4 billion
Percentage who lack clean water: 7% (total)
Malawi
Water fact: 65.7% of the population is living below the
income poverty line and Malawi's geography makes it
susceptible to cyclones, which can damage infrastructure and
destroy crops.
Population: 19.89 million
Percentage who lack clean water: 33.4% (rurally)
Madagascar
Water fact: Madagascar ranks 173 out of 191 ranked countries
on the 2022 Human Development Index, with over 80.7% of the
population living below the income poverty line.
Population: 28.92 million
Percentage who lack clean water: 53.35% (total), 34.4%
(rurally)
Uganda
Water fact: low groundwater potential has complicated
drilling and an increase in heavy rainy seasons has led to
waterlogging and flooding of latrines, impacting nearby
water quality. While safe to drink, Uganda's acidic
groundwater has also caused corrosion to galvanised iron
pipes and serious damage to old water points.
Population: 45.85 million
Percentage who lack clean water: 44.1% (total)
Bangladesh
Water fact: Bangladesh is one of the most densely-populated
countries in the world and faces both water access and water
quality challenges. It is prone to flooding during the
monsoon season and droughts during the dry season.
Total population: 169.4 million
Percentage who lack clean water: currently unknown
Clean water changes everything.
Health
Around 297,000 children under the age of five die every year from diarrheal diseases caused by inadequate water and sanitation.
Education
Less time collecting water means more time in class. Clean water and proper toilets in schools also mean that teenage girls don’t have to stay home for a week out of every month.
Women Empowerment
When a community gets clean water, women and girls get their lives back. They start businesses, improve their homes, and take charge of their own futures.
Economic Growth
Every £1 invested in clean water can yield £4–£12 in economic returns, depending on the region and type of project.
Who is charity: water?
charity: water is a nonprofit organisation bringing clean and safe
drinking water to people in developing countries. With a
commitment to radical transparency, charity: water uses 100% of
public donations to fund clean water projects, and relies on the
expertise of local partners to implement them sustainably.
Since 2006, with the help of more than one million supporters,
charity: water has funded over 44,000 clean water projects and
brought clean and safe water to more than 14 million people around
the world.