Gaza crisis ceasefire response. Rush supplies to children in need.
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By Andrea Andres
2 February 2025

Clean water is something many of us can easily access, yet we often take for granted how important it can be. When we’re thirsty, we simply turn on the tap or refill our water bottles. Washing, flushing, bathing, and cleaning – it all happens without a second thought at our homes, schools, workplaces, and healthcare facilities Yet in so many places around the world, millions of children and their families don’t have access to clean water, especially in times of crises.

When Super Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm in Vietnam in 70 years, landed on 7 September 2024, millions of children and families were immediately affected.

Wind speeds surpassed 220 km/h, and relentless rainfall exceeded 400 mm in many areas, causing severe flooding, landslides, infrastructure damage and contaminated water sources.  Around 400,000 homes suffered with lack of access to safe water and approximately two million children were left without access to education, psychosocial support, and school feeding programs.

A teenage girl in a raincoat carrries her younger sister in a flooded street.
18-year-old Anh carries her younger sister, Vu Ha Anh, as they evacuate from the severe flood caused by Super Typhoon Yagi.
© UNICEF/UNI641164/Do Khuong Duy

As part of UNICEF’s swift response, we provided communities with resources and lifesaving supplies, including water purification tablets that could provide clean water to communities across provinces in Vietnam.  

A UNICEF staff member holding a box of tablets.
UNICEF staff in Vietnam receive water purification tablets for distribution to communities affected by Typhoon Yagi.
© UNICEF/UNI641723/Truong Viet Hung

"We are providing boxes and lots of supplies to help the population have access to portable water. These aquatabs will help families to have access to drinkable water."

Silvia
UNICEF Representative in Vietnam

What are water purification tablets?

A person holding a tiny tablet over a bowl of water.
A water purification tablet goes a long way to provide nourishment for children and families.
© UNICEF/UNI653803/Laxmi-Prasad-Ngakhusi

They may look small, but each water purification tablet packs a punch! When a tablet is submerged in water, each tablet is able to turn 4-5 litres of dirty water into drinking water.

11 tablets

provides a month's clean water for a child

8,000 tablets

can supply up to 90,000 litres of clean water

In war-torn countries like Ukraine, water may be plentiful, but not always safe to drink. Contaminated water from damaged water systems can lead to deadly outbreaks of waterborne diseases like dysentery (a severe stomach infection), cholera and typhoid, ravaging families and children who are most vulnerable. These tiny tablets are a lifeline, ensuring that every drop counts.  

UNICEF delivers water purification tablets and supply systems in Ukraine

Hope for clean water everywhere 

UNICEF is there for children, helping to provide access to clean water in places like Vietnam, Ukraine and beyond. Our water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) team works to improve families’ access to safe and affordable drinking water at a reasonable distance from their homes. 

A community watching UNICEF workers demonstrate how to use water purification tablets.
In Nepal's southern plains, a UNICEF staff leads flood-affected community members through a demonstration in using water purification tablets for their drinking water.
© UNICEF/UNI653755/Laxmi-Prasad-Ngakhusi

A supply of clean water means the opportunity for children to be protected from deadly diseases, better nutrition, improved hygiene and the ability to thrive in a healthier environment. Please help us continue our vital work for children by purchasing a UNICEF Inspired Gift of water purification tablets today.  

Purchase an Inspired Gift today