1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water – UNICEF, WHO

Billions of people suffer from poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene

A new report by UNICEF and the World Health Organization reveals that billions of people around the world continue to suffer from poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. The report, titled “Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene: 2000-2017: Special focus on inequalities,” highlights the significant gaps in the quality of services provided despite the progress made towards achieving universal access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Key Findings

1. 2.2 billion people do not have safely managed drinking water services
2. 4.2 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services
3. 3 billion people lack basic handwashing facilities

“Mere access is not enough. If the water isn’t clean, isn’t safe to drink or is far away, and if toilet access is unsafe or limited, then we’re not delivering for the world’s children,” said Kelly Ann Naylor, Associate Director of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, UNICEF. “Children and their families in poor and rural communities are most at risk of being left behind. Governments must invest in their communities if we are going to bridge these economic and geographic divides and deliver this essential human right.”

Inequalities in Access

• 1.8 billion people have gained access to basic drinking water services since 2000
• 1 in 10 people (785 million) still lack basic services
• 144 million people drink untreated surface water
• 8 in 10 people living in rural areas lack access to basic services
• Coverage of basic services among the richest is at least twice as high as among the poorest in one in four countries

The Importance of Sanitation

“Countries must double their efforts on sanitation or we will not reach universal access by 2030,” said Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. “Investing in water, sanitation, and hygiene is cost-effective and good for society in so many ways. It is an essential foundation for good health.”

• 2.1 billion people have gained access to basic sanitation services since 2000
• 2 billion people still lack basic sanitation
• 7 out of 10 people without basic sanitation live in rural areas
• 1/3 of people without basic sanitation live in the Least Developed Countries

Challenges of Open Defecation

While the proportion of the population practicing open defecation has been halved since 2000, 673 million people still practice open defecation. In 39 countries, the number of people practicing open defecation has actually increased, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where population growth has been strong.

Lack of Handwashing Facilities

New data shows that 3 billion people lack basic handwashing facilities with soap and water at home. Nearly three-quarters of the population in the Least Developed Countries do not have basic handwashing facilities. Inadequate WASH is linked to diarrhea and other diseases.

“Closing inequality gaps in the accessibility, quality, and availability of water, sanitation, and hygiene should be at the heart of government funding and planning strategies. To relent on investment plans for universal coverage is to undermine decades worth of progress at the expense of coming generations,” said Kelly Ann Naylor.

Note to Editors

*Safely managed drinking water and sanitation services: Drinking water from sources located on premises, free from contamination and available when needed, and using hygienic toilets from which wastes are treated and disposed of safely.

**Basic services: Having a protected drinking water source that takes less than thirty minutes to collect water from, using an improved toilet or latrine that does not have to be shared with other households, and having handwashing facilities with soap and water in the home.

***High burden countries: More than 5% of the population practiced open defecation in 2017, including Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Sudan, South Sudan, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania, and Yemen.

About the JMP

The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene is the official United Nations mechanism tasked with monitoring country, regional, and global progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. The JMP provides internationally comparable estimates to guide policy decisions and resource allocations.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Targets Identified:

1. SDG 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
2. SDG 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.
3. SDG 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
4. SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

Indicators:

• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
• Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services.
• Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new cases of water-borne diseases.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by sex, age, employment status, and geographic location.

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets identified are:

1. SDG 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
2. SDG 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation.
3. SDG 3.3: End water-borne diseases.
4. SDG 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
• Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services.
• Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new cases of water-borne diseases.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by sex, age, employment status, and geographic location.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: who.int