Just a Drop

A total of 1.8 million children die each year because of water-borne diseases. Just a Drop was founded by staff behind Reed Exhibitions’ flagship show, World Travel Market (WTM), as part of an appeal to the global travel and tourism industry. WTM is a business-to-business one week exhibition held each November in London. More than 5,500 exhibitors representing all major industry sectors from 187 destinations worldwide participate, and almost 50,000 industry professionals attend. In 2008, Just a Drop celebrated their 10th aniversary; they have helped over 900,000 children and their families in 28 countries gain access to clean water in their communities.

Examples of Just a Drop’s impact:

  • In North East India, 200 inhabitants of an isolated village in Riangmaw have received a new water system; previously the only clean water available was a spring at the base of a 90m slope.
  • In Bolivia, through a partnership with the Scientific Exploration Society, there is now a new piping system for the 8,000 people living in the Vallegrande region
  • In Afghanistan, the Khanabad Emergency Obstetric Clinic now has a potable water supply; before, there were no facilities for pregnant women and infants
  • In Sudan, along with First Data Western Union Foundation, four wells, hand pumps and a drainage system is in place for 5,700 people in the villages of Amarah and Magarif
  • In Uganda, children have suffered 20 years of rebel insurgency by the Lord’s Resistance Army who have kidnapped over 20,000 children. There is now clean water for 5,700 schoolchildren, the result of new wells and water distribution systems
  • In Ecuador, the ancient tribe of Cofane Indians, considered one of the world’s oldest surviving tribes, living deep in the Ecuador jungle and virtually unknown until 50 years ago, now have a water pipe system for the community of 356 inhabitants as well as latrines for the local school

Just a Drop has had positive benefits for WTM. It has improved engagement and affinity with industry professionals, travel companies, and organisations. WTM is now seen as a leader which takes account of its industry’s economic, social and environmental impacts.