Water is the foundation of life. Humans need water for basic bodily functions, food production, hygiene, and maintaining ecosystems. Agriculture, which feeds the global population, relies heavily on freshwater resources, with around 70% of global water withdrawals used for irrigation. Additionally, clean water is vital for public health. Access to safe drinking water can prevent diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) is the custodian of global data on Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and has reported country, regional and global estimates of progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) since 1990. In 2023, the JMP published an update report, Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 2000-2022: Special Focus on Gender, including analysis that suggested that the world may be falling even further behind.
How Access to Safe Water affects Women
The report presented a picture of stark inequalities between and within countries, revealing the unique risks that women and girls face from inadequate access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services– and that in two out of three households, women are primarily responsible for water collection. Empowering women is critical to solving the water crisis. When women have access to safe water at home, they can pursue more beyond water collection.
How Access to Safe Water Can Improve Health
Access to safe water and sanitation contributes to improved health and helps prevent the spread of infectious disease. It means reduced child and maternal mortality rates. It means reduced physical injury from constant lifting and carrying heavy loads of water.
How Access to Safe Water Affects Children and their Education
Reductions in time spent collecting water have been found to increase school attendance, especially for girls. Access to safe water gives children time for school and the opportunity for a bright future.
How Access to Safe Water Affects Economic Potential
Access to safe water and sanitation at home turns time spent into time saved — giving families more time to pursue education and work opportunities that will help them break the cycle of poverty.
HANWASH is Working in Haiti to Transform the Nation, One Community at a Time.
HANWASH and partners are working with and supporting local stakeholders to deliver safe, affordable, and sustainable water and sanitation to everyone in Haiti. HANWASH brings together local and international partners, fostering knowledge and skills transfer and building the capacity of local communities and leaders to give good governance to WASH and the progressive realization of the human right to water and sanitation. The Pilot Programme – a programme of work in five communes located in major regions of the country, with the capital costs funded by local and international donors and the operating costs borne by citizens is moving forward with assistance from donors across the world.
Water is undeniably a global necessity but without concerted efforts to address the growing water crisis, it will remain a persistent global problem. Addressing these challenges is critical for the future well-being of the planet. HANWASH is working to meet thse challenges, one well at a time.
