World Tuberculosis Day is held annually on 24 of March to raise awareness and educate the public about the global impact of tuberculosis (TB). TB causes devastating health, social and economic consequences around the world, especially in countries like Papua New Guinea.
Haven’t heard of World Tuberculosis Day? Here’s our guide to what World TB Day is all about, and how you can educate yourself and help raise awareness about this life-threatening infectious disease.
Why do we celebrate World Tuberculosis Day?
March 24 is the anniversary of the day scientist Dr Robert Koch, discovered the cause of TB, the TB bacillus in 1882. This discovery was groundbreaking and led to the diagnosis and successful treatment of the disease.
A century later, the United Nations declared that this date would be commemorated as World Tuberculosis Day, to raise awareness and educate the public about the impact of tuberculosis.
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
TB is an infectious disease that attacks the lungs, however, it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, kidneys or spine. It is highly contagious and spreads from person to person through the air via coughs, sneezes, and when the bacteria is released into the air during conversation.
According to the World Health Organisation, a total of 1.25 million people died from TB in 2023 and is considered the world’s leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, following three years in which it was replaced by coronavirus disease (COVID-19). It was also the leading killer of people with HIV and a major cause of deaths related to antimicrobial resistance. Over 80% of cases and deaths occur in developing countries.
Although a preventable and curable disease, TB is a major cause of illness and death for children in developing countries, where providing treatment is challenging, particularly in remote communities.
What is the theme for World Tuberculosis Day 2025?
The theme for 2025’s World TB Day is ‘Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver’. This year’s theme amplifies the urgency of ending tuberculosis and the role we can all play is ending this disease, particularly as we move closer to global efforts to end TB by 2030. It is a bold call for hope, urgency and accountability.
How you can make an impact on World Tuberculosis Day 2025
If you would like to get involved and make a difference this World TB Day, here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Spread awareness and start a conversation on social media
To spread awareness about World Tuberculosis Day, one of the best ways is to share relevant information on your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn accounts.
We suggest sharing statistics on TB,tuberculosis stories, educational resources or other communication materials that can help to raise awareness of this global disease. You can use the hashtags #WorldTBDay and #ItsTimeToEndTB to spark a conversation.
2. Educate yourself about tuberculosis
World Tuberculosis Day is the perfect time to learn more about the impact of TB around the world. Visit the official World Tuberculosis Day 2025 page to learn more about the event. There are also a number of resources, stories and videos you can watch on the internet to learn more about TB and its impact.
3. Donate to provide access to treatment
If you want to make a difference and save a child in need, donate to programs that support children living in rural areas of developing countries. You can help them access adequate healthcare and prevent further TB transmissions.
Through ChildFund Australia you can donate a Handwashing Station to a community in need, helping to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
Support World Tuberculosis Day
Support World Tuberculosis Day this year and make a difference in the lives of children impacted by the disease.
We believe all children should have the right to adequate healthcare. By spreading awareness, educating yourself or making a donation, you will be helping to combat this disease by improving access to healthcare to reduce the impact TB has on children in developing countries.
World Water Day is celebrated annually on 22 March. It’s a day to reflect on the importance of global access to clean water and sanitation, and the sustainable use of water. It’s an opportunity to recognise the pivotal role clean water and sanitation play in daily life, supporting economic, social and human development.
Did you know?
1.4 million people die every year and 74 million will have their lives shortened by diseases related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene.
1 in 4 people – 2 billion people worldwide – lack safe drinking water.
Almost half of the global population – 3.6 billion people – lack safe sanitation.
For World Water Day 2025, the focus is on Glacier Preservation, and it’s more important than ever. Glaciers are crucial for providing clean water – especially for children and families who depend on their meltwater for drinking, farming and healthy ecosystems. As glaciers are melting faster than before, it’s becoming harder to predict water flows, which can leave communities vulnerable.
Protecting glaciers is a key part of ensuring future generations, particularly children, have access to a reliable water supply. To make sure water stays available, it’s essential we reduce carbon emissions and develop local strategies to cope with the shrinking glaciers.
This World Water Day, let’s take action to preserve glaciers and make sure every child has access to clean water. Water is a basic human right, and together, we can help protect this vital resource for everyone, especially those who need it most.
To help get you started, we’ve put together five ways that you can make an impact this World Water Day 2025 and beyond.
1. Practice responsible use of water
Take up the challenge to be more mindful of your own water usage. If you find you use a lot of water, try to reduce your usage during your day-to-day routine.
Some suggestions to reduce your water use include:
Turning off the tap while you brush your teeth
Using the half flush on the toilet instead of the full when possible
Taking 2 minute showers
Making sure your dishwasher is full before turning it on
Fixing leaking taps and toilets
2. Watch documentaries on water to educate yourself
As World Water Day is focused on raising awareness about the importance of clean water and sanitation, one way to gain a better understanding of water-related issues is by watching documentaries. There are a number of high-quality films available, often on YouTube or Netflix.
3. Visit the United Nations World Water Day website
Another way to get informed is to visit the official World Water Day website, which includes an abundance of resources, stories and information on how to become involved with World Water Day.
4. Raise awareness on social media
Social media is one of the most effective ways to raise awareness. This World Water Day, we encourage you to share news, facts, statistics, videos or stories on your various social media channels to let your network know about the importance of clean water and sanitation, and sustainable water use. The more people that share information on their social channels, the greater the reach.
5. Donate to help those without access to clean water and sanitation
This World Water Day, you can give the gift of clean water and sanitation to those who need it most. Everyone should have the right to access clean water and sanitation around the globe.
ChildFund Australia’s Gifts For Good range is a fantastic initiative for donations this World Water Day. Gifts For Good incorporates a number of water-based gifts that have the power to change lives.
You can help provide children and families overseas with access to clean water and sanitation by donating:
Hand pump well: This will provide clean water for children and their families for drinking, cleaning and bathing. Children may no longer have to make long, dangerous journeys on foot to collect water from unreliable, contaminated sources. This will also offer children the protection from the risk of deadly waterborne diseases.
Deepwater borehole:Imagine your impact when you give the gift of clean water that a whole school – or even an entire community – can rely upon for years to come.
Hand washing station: This is a simple gift with the power to help everyone in a community improve sanitation and hygiene, and stay healthy.
Disasters such as drought, disease and conflict has led to millions of people around the world in need of emergency clean water assistance. You can help prevent their suffering with a gift of clean water.
In Kenya alone, more than a million of people in need are children and mothers, who are malnourished and urgently need food and water. Your donation to ChildFund’s Hunger Crisis Appeal can help upgrade and maintain water facilities in communities, and provide water trucks in schools and water purifiers for families.
Celebrate World Water Day this March!
However you choose to celebrate World Water Day, do it in an impactful and meaningful way for you and your community. Take on one or all of these five tips to ensure you mark World Water Day in a way that truly makes a difference.
