Over 1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water. Around 2.6 billion people lack access to basic latrine facilities, which particularly affects women and girls. As a result over 150 million people die each year from diarrheal diseases, millions of others suffer from parasitic infections or are at risk of blindness, and over 1.5 million contract Hepatitis A. Improving the water supply and sanitation of communities not only saves lives but adds productivity to a community that is no longer plagued by these preventable illnesses. Providing toilets in or near the homes of women can prevent harassment and abuse.