The Critical Link Between Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and Human Health
Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health. Yet, the world is facing a growing water crisis, with significant implications for human wellbeing, community resilience, and sustainable development. As the impacts of climate change intensify, the intersection of water, health, and the environment has become increasingly complex and urgent.
Climate change is disrupting the hydrological cycle, leading to more frequent and severe water-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, and water scarcity. These extreme events can devastate WASH infrastructure, contaminate water sources, and undermine the ability of communities to maintain basic hygiene practices. This, in turn, increases the risk of waterborne diseases, compromises healthcare facilities, and undermines efforts to achieve universal access to WASH services.
At the same time, the WASH sector itself contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, both directly and indirectly. The production, distribution, and treatment of water, as well as the construction and maintenance of sanitation facilities, all have significant carbon footprints. Addressing this challenge requires a shift towards more sustainable, climate-resilient WASH solutions that prioritize low-carbon technologies and practices.
Boosting Climate Resilience in WASH Services
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the critical importance of strengthening the climate resilience of WASH systems. Through its activities and collaborations, the organization is working to support countries in developing guidelines, tools, and frameworks that enhance the ability of WASH infrastructure and services to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
One key focus area is the creation of water and sanitation safety plans, which help communities identify and manage risks to their WASH systems. These plans incorporate climate-related threats, such as floods, droughts, and temperature fluctuations, and guide the implementation of risk reduction measures. Additionally, WHO is working to establish climate-resilient, low-carbon healthcare facilities, ensuring that critical healthcare services can continue to function during extreme weather events.
Emerging areas of focus include:
- Climate-related WASH monitoring: Developing robust monitoring systems to track the impacts of climate change on WASH services and inform adaptive management.
- Research on WASH-related health outcomes: Investigating the complex relationships between climate change, WASH, and health, to guide evidence-based policymaking and programming.
- Environmental surveillance and disease vector control: Strengthening the ability to detect and respond to climate-driven changes in water-borne and vector-borne diseases.
To integrate WASH effectively into climate change and health policies, WHO collaborates with various partners, including the Climate Change and Health Unit and the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH). The organization also participates actively in global networks, such as the Water and Climate Coalition, the UN-Water Expert Group on Water and Climate Change, and the Coalition on Climate Resilient Sanitation.
Ensuring Universal Access to WASH: Progress and Challenges
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have set ambitious targets for achieving universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate and equitable sanitation, and improved hygiene practices by 2030. While there has been some progress, the world is not on track to meet these goals, with significant disparities across regions and socioeconomic groups.
According to the latest UN data, in 2022:
- 2.2 billion people still lacked safely managed drinking water, including 703 million without a basic water service.
- 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation, including 1.5 billion without basic sanitation services.
- 2 billion lacked a basic handwashing facility, including 653 million with no handwashing facility at all.
These gaps in WASH access are particularly acute in the least developed countries, where the impacts of climate change are often most severe. Addressing this challenge requires a multi-pronged approach that combines increased investment, capacity-building, innovation, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Strategies for Achieving Climate-Resilient WASH Services
To ensure that WASH systems are prepared to withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change, a range of strategies must be employed:
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Increase Sector-Wide Investment and Capacity-Building: Mobilize substantial and sustained funding for WASH infrastructure, operations, and maintenance, with a focus on climate-resilient technologies and approaches. Simultaneously, invest in training and capacity-building programs to equip WASH professionals with the skills to manage climate-related risks.
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Promote Innovation and Evidence-Based Action: Support research and development into new, climate-adaptive WASH solutions, such as decentralized water treatment systems, nature-based sanitation options, and water efficiency technologies. Ensure that policies and programs are informed by the latest scientific evidence on the links between climate change, water, and health.
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Enhance Cross-Sectoral Coordination and Cooperation: Facilitate greater collaboration between the WASH, health, and climate change adaptation sectors to align strategies, share knowledge, and leverage resources. Engage with local communities, civil society organizations, and the private sector to foster inclusive and participatory WASH governance.
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Adopt a Holistic Approach to Water Management: Move beyond narrow, siloed WASH interventions towards more integrated water resource management approaches. This includes protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, improving water-use efficiency across sectors, and addressing the complex challenges of water scarcity and transboundary water cooperation.
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Strengthen Community Resilience and Empower Women: Empower local communities, particularly marginalized groups and women, to participate in the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate-resilient WASH services. Invest in community-based disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and emergency response capabilities.
By incorporating these strategies, the WASH sector can play a critical role in building the climate resilience of communities, safeguarding public health, and supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Inspiring Examples of Climate-Resilient WASH Initiatives
Around the world, there are numerous examples of innovative, community-led WASH initiatives that are enhancing climate resilience and improving health outcomes:
Flood-Resilient Sanitation in Bangladesh: In the flood-prone regions of Bangladesh, community-based organizations have collaborated with local authorities to construct raised, climate-proof latrines that remain functional during extreme flooding events. These solutions not only protect sanitation infrastructure but also prevent the spread of waterborne diseases in the aftermath of disasters.
Water Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge in India: In the water-scarce state of Rajasthan, India, communities have revived traditional rainwater harvesting techniques and implemented managed aquifer recharge systems. These nature-based solutions help replenish groundwater supplies, reducing the impact of droughts and increasing the availability of safe drinking water.
Ecosystem-Based Watershed Management in Kenya: In the Upper Tana River basin of Kenya, a multi-stakeholder partnership has been working to restore degraded forests, wetlands, and riparian areas. By protecting these critical water-related ecosystems, the initiative has enhanced the quantity and quality of water available for domestic use, agriculture, and hydropower generation, strengthening the climate resilience of local communities.
Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Uganda: In Uganda, a community-based organization has integrated menstrual health and hygiene education into its WASH programming. By addressing the unique needs of women and girls, the initiative has improved overall hygiene practices and contributed to the empowerment of marginalized groups, particularly during emergencies and climate-related disasters.
These examples illustrate the power of community-driven, climate-resilient WASH solutions that prioritize public health, environmental sustainability, and inclusive development. By scaling up and replicating such initiatives, the WASH sector can play a pivotal role in creating a more water-secure, climate-resilient, and equitable future.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Resilient WASH Services
The intersection of water, health, and climate change presents a complex, yet urgent, challenge that requires a comprehensive, collaborative response. By strengthening the climate resilience of WASH systems, we can safeguard public health, enhance community resilience, and support sustainable development in the face of a changing climate.
To achieve this, we must act now. Increased investment, innovative solutions, cross-sectoral partnerships, and empowered communities are all essential components of a holistic strategy to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe, reliable, and climate-resilient WASH services.
Join us in this critical endeavor. Visit the Joint Action for Water website to learn more about how you can contribute to building a water-secure, climate-resilient future.
