The issue explained

One of the most obvious benefits of clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene is that people are healthier.

The other side of the coin is that without these essentials, diseases such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections spread. Children are especially vulnerable, as well as pregnant women, who need clean water, toilets and a hygienic environment to have the best chance at a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.

Our approach

We aim to have an integrated approach: improved health and improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities must go hand in hand. Without these basic facilities in healthcare settings, newborns, mothers, and children are most vulnerable to diseases such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections.

We are working closely with governments, health professionals, and communities to strive for better health through improved WASH in local healthcare facilities and more broadly throughout the community.

In our influencing work, we are working hard to ensure that greater funding and action within the health sector target clean and accessible water, toilets, and hygiene for patients, staff, and visitors.

We’re working to achieve gender equality, ensuring women and girls are involved.

Social exclusion

We seek to tackle exclusion and marginalisation wherever it occurs.

Building services that last

We’re focused on ensuring that water and sanitation services continue to work over time.