This World Water Day (22 March 2026) we’re highlighting why access to clean water for working animals is a necessity, not a luxury.
A shortage of safe, accessible water for working animals
Across many of the countries where we work, communities are facing a critical shortage of safe water. Poor infrastructure and a lack of piped water forces people and their working animals to walk long distances to wells, pumps or natural sources – which can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. And it is often working animals who carry the heavy burden of transporting much-needed water – yet, despite the essential work they do, they’re often last to receive water when resources are limited.
At the same time, the climate crisis is intensifying extreme weather, droughts and heatwaves, making access to water even more difficult.
The impact of the global water crisis
Without clean drinking water, working animals can suffer from dehydration, colic and even organ failure. And without healthy, hydrated animals, families and communities lose vital support for their livelihoods which affects food security, water access, and transport to schools and hospitals.
This World Water Day, we are raising awareness of the global water crisis and the devastating impact it has on working animals across the world – and why we will not let them be forgotten.
Discover more about the global water crisis, and the devastating toll it is taking on working animals, in our World Water Day 2025 video.
How SPANA is helping
We believe that working animals deserve access to safe, clean water in order to stay healthy and hydrated, and support the communities who rely on them.
Working alongside our partners across the world, we are taking practical steps to improve water access and protect working animal welfare. This includes building drinking water troughs, installing water tanks to support storage, and providing veterinary care to animals suffering from dehydration and water-related illnesses.
Some recent examples of our impact include:
- Providing 28,710 veterinary treatments to working animals in emergency drought responses in 2024.
- Repairing ten water points across Kenya to give reliable water access to 6,405 camels, 5,590 donkeys and 453 households impacted by severe drought.
- Building ten drinking fountains in Marrakech, Morocco, so that thirsty caleche horses can access fresh water when working in the heat. Our water cart regularly visits the fountains to ensure they are refilled, cleaned and maintained.
This work is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Together, we are helping ensure that working animals have the water they need to live healthier, safer lives.
How you can help
But our work to support working animals facing the water crisis continues. A severe drought in Malawi has triggered a national state of disaster and left working animals without food or clean water.
These donkeys are critical to the communities who rely on them to fetch water, collect firewood and grow food to support their families.
This World Water Day we are asking you to help working animals around the world who are facing severe dehydration, starvation and infections. Your donation could provide nutritious feed and clean water to them in their hour of need.
Thank you.
Discover more ways to get involved
Working animals and the Sustainable Development Goals
Here at SPANA we recognise that the impact of our work extends far beyond improving the health and welfare of working animals.
Alnair the water donkey’s painful skin disease
This International Working Animal Day, we’re highlighting the devastating impact the global water crisis is having on working animals.
Working animals and the Sustainable Development Goals
Here at SPANA we recognise that the impact of our work extends far beyond improving the health and welfare of working animals.
Alnair the water donkey’s painful skin disease
This International Working Animal Day, we’re highlighting the devastating impact the global water crisis is having on working animals.