Water, sanitation, hygiene and health: policy brief

Overview

Water and sanitation are central to human life, health, well-being, dignity and sustainable development. Universal and equitable access to sufficient amounts of safe drinking-water and adequate sanitation are basic human rights. A progressive approach is required towards ensuring safety, equity, accessibility, availability and affordability of water and sanitation services for all, and in all settings where people live, study, play, work, rest and seek care. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (‎2030 Agenda)‎ recognizes the central role of WASH (‎water, sanitation and hygiene)‎ in its Sustainable Development Goals (‎SDGs)‎. Despite significant progress, access to basic WASH services is not a reality for everyone in the WHO European Region and people still face unmet basic needs. Infectious water-related diseases (‎e.g. diarrhoeal and respiratory infections)‎ caused by unsafe drinking-water, poorly managed sanitation and inadequate hygiene practices represent a considerable health burden in the Region.