In 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set out a vision for development through to 2015. This included halving the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Globally, the MDG target for water has been met, but the sanitation target has not, and several regions of the world are seriously off-track for both. 783-million people still lack safe water and, taking population growth into account, there are almost as many people without access to sanitation worldwide as there were 20 years ago.

Right now, a panel of world leaders, including David Cameron, is in the process of developing a new framework to guide development efforts beyond 2015. Water, sanitation and hygiene must be given priority if we are to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people.

Report by Water Aid