Good hygiene
Together with clean water and a decent toilet, good hygiene saves lives. Washing hands – at home, at school, at work and in the clinic – is one of the most effective ways to prevent infections. But 1.7 billion people lack access to water and soap.
Poor hygiene means children get sick and can't go to school, adults can't work to support their families and patients are at risk in health centers. Entire communities are missing out on opportunities to improve their lives.
We know from experience that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and that simply explaining the importance of good hygiene is not enough to bring about lasting change. That's why we listen to people to understand what really motivates them to develop new hygiene habits.
Facts
1.7 billion people in the world lack soap and/or water to wash their hands
One child nearly every 2 minutes dies from diarrhoeal diseases caused by unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene
Every euro spent on hand hygiene saves 15 euro on healthcare
What does WaterAid do in the field of hygiene?
- WaterAid works with communities to discover the drivers and barriers to good hygiene, so that our approach fits local realities.
- We combine physical facilities, such as hand washing points, with education and community activities, so that improved hygiene becomes a permanent part of daily life.
- WaterAid ensures that schools and health centers have handwashing facilities with clean water and soap, so that children, teachers, patients and caregivers stay safe and healthy.
- We work together with governments and local organizations to include hygiene in policy and budgets, so that facilities and education are structurally financed.
- We actively involve vulnerable and marginalized groups in designing and managing hygiene facilities so that everyone has access and feels safe.
Projects
WASH Learn & Share
More than half of all schools in Uganda lack adequate toilet and water facilities. For girls in particular, this means they regularly miss school. With the WASH, Learn & Share project, we are working to improve health, education and well-being for all.
Water Justice Fund - grassroot grants to the water crisis
Millions of women and girls are hit hard by the water and sanitation problems caused by climate change. The Water Justice Fund supports local women groups in Kenya, Nepal, Bangladesh, Ghana, Timor-Leste and Indonesia to realise locally-led and women-owned solutions to water and climate challenges.
Sarwacha
WaterAid Nederland and Dopper are working with local partners, ENPHO and Biruwa, to ensure a sustainable water supply for Changunarayan. Families in the fast-growing municipality Changunarayan in Nepal lack safe drinking water.
