Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Description

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming is a critical intervention that improves the health, security, resilience, and economic potential of individuals and communities. Per U.S. law and policy, program implementers target their work to the lowest-income countries with the greatest need.

Use of Funds

Funds provide access to safe drinking water, toilets, and handwashing stations, as well as education on the importance of handwashing and using a toilet to protect health and safety. Through improved fiscal and governance policies, WASH programs strengthen countries’ capacity to maintain and deliver domestic water and sanitation services.

Justification

• In 2020, around 1 in 4, or 2 billion, people lacked safely managed drinking water in their homes. Nearly half the world’s population lacked safely managed sanitation.
• In 2020, over half of healthcare facilities in the least developed countries lacked clean water; and 31% of schools globally did not have basic water service.
• Unless investment in WASH is increased, by 2030, only 81% of the world’s population will have access to safe drinking water at home, and 2.8 billion people will not have access to safe sanitation services.
• Economic challenges from COVID-19 threaten consistent service provision, and funding for WASH is needed to help support long-term water service continuity and prevent future utility disruption.
• Investment in WASH creates positive returns across sectors, including fostering healthier populations, building resilience to climate change and disasters, and promoting long-term, sustainable economic growth.