Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

The water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) keep children alive. Safe WASH is a human right. Drinking unsafe water impairs health through illnesses such as diarrhea and cholera. According to UNICEF, 2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water, 1.5 billion had basic services, 287 million had limited services, 302 million relied on unimproved sources, and 106 million collecting water directly from surface water sources such as rivers and lakes. While “961 million people gained access to safely managed drinking water services” (UNICEF), millions are still in need of safe water. 

Like the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), global health organizations like UNICEF present a global approach to achieve WASH for all. However, progress with WASH remains too slow. WASH gaps such as the fact that 3.4 billion lack safely managed sanitation and nearly 2.0 billion lack basic services are a great concern. WASH is necessary for healthy children who can thrive and succeed in adulthood, supporting their communities. Without WASH, waterborne diseases are prevalent, health-care costs are higher, and productivity is lost.

Credit: UNICEF WASH

As a result, as the largest WASH implementer in the United Nations system, UNICEF invests $1 billion USD annually in 100+ countries to support WASH. As of 2025, the organization is focusing on delivering results at scale: safely managing WASH in communities and institutions. Their strategic plan for 2026 to 2029 is to help 100 million children gain safe water, 200 million safe sanitation and hygiene by 2029 through services at scale; help 300 million children benefit from services that withstand climate risks; provide life-saving WASH services, recovery, and long-term resilience; and scale financing and innovative tools. This plan is known as the global WASh acceleration investment program. With 50 priority countries and catalytic financing, UNICEF expects to have 300 million additional people gain access to safe water, 300 million additional people gain access to safe sanitation, 200 million people in fragile and crisis settings benefit from climate-resilient services, and 100,000 schools and health-care facilities have functional WASH services by 2030.

Conclusion

As UNICEF persists to increase access to WASH globally, it is vital to understand the importance of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Those in developed countries may not understand the privilege of clean water that’s available daily. So, be aware and cognizant of the strife for WASH worldwide.