By Jheruleene Anne Ramos
Popular YouTubers Mr. Beast and Mark Rober, joined by thousands of creators worldwide, have launched the #TeamWater campaign in partnership with WaterAid to provide clean water to millions in need.
As part of the campaign, content creators will post call-to-action videos across their platforms to encourage global audiences to donate, My Republica reported.
Involving creators from over 84 countries with a combined reach of two billion subscribers, the global movement seeks to raise USD40 million by August 31 to bring clean water to about two million people for the next two decades.
#TeamWater seeks long-term solution to water crisis
Every single donated dollar to the fundraising campaign will be used to provide a person clean water for an entire year and secure reliable clean water access for marginalised and vulnerable communities.
In addition to providing clean water supply, the campaign will ensure that the funds will be used effectively and efficiently for sustainable infrastructure to guarantee long-term solutions.
“Every dollar raised will fund long-term sustainable water solutions – from solar-powered well to gravity-fed pipelines – delivering clean water to millions, for generations to come,” said Kelly Parsons, chief executive officer of WaterAid America.
The initiative will also include drilling wells, installing multi-stage filtration systems and water storage in several countries such as Colombia, Ecuador, Malawi, Nepal and Zambia.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Early Atlantic seaway opening linked to ancient global warming, study finds
Biggest creator collaboration in history
Following the launch, more than 3,000 creators have joined the effort, a scale Mr. Beast called the “biggest creator collab in history,” as cited by the Hindustan Times.
Notable participants include famous personalities such Kai Cenat, the Stokes Twins, Dude Perfect, Hank Green and Gordon Ramsay, among others.
The initiative has also sparked friendly fundraising challenges, with streamer Adin Ross pledging USD400,000 if Cenat matched the amount.
Meanwhile, streamer Asmongold pledged USD100,000 after Mr. Beast encouraged him during a Discord livestream featuring high-profile creators.
Campaign receives mixed reaction online
But despite the support it garnered from various content creators, several users on social media expressed scepticism whether the campaign will be successful, with others mocking the efforts.
Critics urged Mr. Beast to prioritise helping Americans before tackling global issues, with one X user writing: “You have people in your own country that are struggling. Focus on them.”
Others argued that large-scale water crises should be addressed by governments and international agencies, not influencers.
Despite the criticism, Mr. Beast continues to post progress updates and encourage both influencers and the public to contribute.
Power of online unity
Mr. Beast, Rober, and other participants expressed hope that their platforms can amplify the voices of those in need and inspire action on global challenges.
“We’ve seen the power of the internet when it rallies behind a cause – from planting millions of trees to removing millions of pounds of trash from the ocean. Now, we’re taking on clear water, because no one should have to live without it,” Mr. Beast and Rober said in a statement.
This is their third large-scale environmental campaign after #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas; together those projects raised over USD50 million to plant 20 million trees and remove 30 million pounds of trash from oceans and waterways.
The launch comes as millions worldwide still lack access to safe water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and handwashing.
According to World Vision, the number or people without clean water fell from 1.1 billion in 2000 to 703 million in 2022, but major challenges remain.
READ NEXT: Taylor Swift announces new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’
Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Vivien Bernardino