Imagine life without access to clean water. That’s what over 3.6 million people in South Africa deal with every day. And only 64% of SA households have access to a reliable water supply. Globally, more than 2 billion people lack access to a safely managed water supply and 1 in 10 do not have access to clean water close to home. It’s estimated that by 2025 half of the world’s population could be living in water-stressed areas.
The Armani Acqua for Life initiative was launched in 2010, the same year that the United Nations recognised the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation as a human right. The brand partners with the UNICEF Tap Project to provide access to drinking water in water-scarce regions and over the last 12 plus years, Acqua for Life has invested more than €14 million in water projects across 23 countries, helping over 590,000 people worldwide.
The comprehensive approach covers the issues of access to clean water, as well as hygiene, sanitation and education around water. “Its principal values encompass two key areas: firstly, undertaking activities that include the installation of water points, latrines, rainwater collection, water filtering, and water purification systems. Secondly, taking a sustainable approach to projects, including education for the community in WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) behaviour and empowering communities to sustain Acqua for Life projects in the long term,” says the brand.
The foray into South Africa has been welcomed by local partners. Since 2022, with the help of WaterAid, Acqua for Life has helped over 2,800 people access clean water in the Mamburu and Maangane villages in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province.
At a recent exhibition, a series of portraits by South African artists Justice and Fhatuwani Mukheli of people who have been positively impacted by the Acqua for Life program in South Africa were displayed to help raise awareness and show the impact of access to water in people’s lives and just how intrinsically water is connected to life.
It’s a remarkable initiative and a reminder that we all need to do our bit, no matter how small it may seem. What three things can you do today to save water?
Armani beauty has been producing make-up, skincare and fragrances for over 20 years. The brand is renowned for its deliciously fresh aquatic scents which include Acqua di Giò and Ocean di Gioia.
