New UN-Water findings: stronger WASH systems needed for safe drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene for all – World Health Organization (WHO)

Report on Strengthening Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Systems to Achieve SDG 6

Introduction

Urgent action is required to enhance national water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This is critical to protect public health amid increasing climate-related risks and recurring disease outbreaks.

New findings from the State of systems for drinking-water, sanitation and hygiene: Global update 2025, a report developed jointly by WHO and UNICEF under the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS), provide a comprehensive overview of barriers impeding WASH services. The analysis includes data from 105 countries and territories, representing 62% of the global population, and 21 development partners including UN agencies and international organizations.

Delivery Capacity Challenges

Despite the existence of policies and targets aligned with SDG 6, many countries face significant challenges in implementation due to limited delivery capacity. Key issues identified include:

• Less than 13% of countries reported having sufficient financial and human resources to implement WASH plans effectively.
• 64% of countries indicated overlapping roles and responsibilities among government institutions, leading to inefficiencies and lack of coordination.
• Only 49% of countries reported having national targets for hand hygiene, despite most having targets for drinking-water and sanitation.

According to WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) estimates, the unmet needs remain substantial:

1. 2.1 billion people lack safely managed drinking-water.
2. 3.4 billion people lack safely managed sanitation.
3. 1.7 billion people lack basic hygiene services.

These gaps highlight the urgent need to strengthen WASH systems to reduce preventable deaths and improve public health outcomes.

Financing, Regulation, and Climate Resilience

The report emphasizes opportunities to accelerate progress on SDG 6 by improving resource planning, execution, and regulatory frameworks:

• A funding gap of 46% exists between identified WASH needs and available funding in 20 surveyed countries.
• Efficiency losses are significant, with non-revenue water averaging 39% among reporting countries.
• Less than half of countries publish publicly accessible reports on drinking-water quality.
• Only about 20% of countries conduct drinking-water surveillance at the required frequency.
• While water safety planning is included in most policies, large-scale implementation remains limited.

Climate resilience is increasingly integrated into WASH systems, with 80% of countries addressing climate risks in policies and plans. However, targeted measures for vulnerable populations affected disproportionately by climate change are insufficient:

• Only 20% of countries have financing measures to support these populations.
• 42% of countries monitor progress on climate-related actions for vulnerable groups.

Health Impacts and Urgency for Action

The deficiencies in WASH services have severe health consequences, including:

• At least 1.4 million deaths in 2019 from preventable causes linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.
• Over 560,000 cholera cases and 6,000 deaths reported in 2024 across 60 countries.

These statistics underscore the critical need for stronger WASH systems to achieve SDG 6 and improve global health.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The GLAAS 2025 report highlights that accelerating progress on SDG 6 depends on strengthening WASH systems through enhanced financing, governance, capacity building, policy implementation, and data management. These improvements will promote sustainability and ensure that services reach the most vulnerable populations.

As countries prepare for the 2026 UN Water Conference, this report provides essential evidence to guide shifts towards more resilient and equitable WASH systems worldwide.

For further information, the complete GLAAS 2024/2025 dataset is accessible via the GLAAS data portal.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses primarily on SDG 6, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems globally.
   • It highlights challenges in achieving safely managed drinking-water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article connects WASH improvements to protecting health and reducing disease outbreaks such as cholera.
   • It mentions preventable deaths linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article discusses integrating climate risk considerations into WASH policies and plans.
   • It notes the need for targeted measures for populations disproportionately affected by climate change.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6 Targets
   • 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • 6.2: Achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation.
   • 6.a: Expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes.
   • 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
2. SDG 3 Targets
   • 3.3: End epidemics of waterborne diseases such as cholera and other communicable diseases.
   • 3.9: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
3. SDG 13 Targets
   • 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators Related to SDG 6
   • Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (implied by the mention of 2.1 billion lacking such services).
   • Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services (3.4 billion lacking such services).
   • Proportion of population with basic hygiene services (1.7 billion lacking basic hygiene).
   • Percentage of countries with national hand hygiene targets (49%).
   • Percentage of countries with sufficient financial and human resources to implement WASH plans (less than 13%).
   • Non-revenue water as a percentage (averaging 39%) indicating efficiency losses.
   • Percentage of countries publishing publicly accessible reports on drinking-water quality (less than half).
   • Frequency of drinking-water surveillance (only about one fifth meet required frequency).
   • Percentage of countries addressing climate risks in WASH policies (80%).
   • Percentage of countries with measures to finance actions supporting populations affected by climate change (20%).
   • Percentage of countries monitoring progress on climate-related WASH measures (42%).
2. Indicators Related to SDG 3
   • Number of deaths from preventable causes linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation (1.4 million in 2019).
   • Number of cholera cases and deaths (over 560,000 cases and 6,000 deaths in 2024).
3. Indicators Related to SDG 13
   • Extent of integration of climate risk into WASH policies and plans (80%).
   • Measures to finance and monitor climate resilience actions for vulnerable populations (20% and 42% respectively).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: who.int