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 water and sanitation services.

Justification

• Two billion people lack safely managed drinking water in their homes, and nearly half the world’s population, or 3.6 billion people, lack safely managed sanitation at home.
• Over half of healthcare facilities in the least developed countries lack clean water, and 31% of schools globally do not have basic water service.
• At least 500 million women and girls lack adequate water and sanitation infrastructure for menstrual hygiene management, keeping them out of school or away from work.
• Global water security is essential to U.S. national security. Half of the world’s population could be living in areas facing water scarcity as early as 2025.
• Investment in WASH creates positive returns across sectors, generating water management practices that build climate resilience and biodiversity, bolster food security, and promote long-term, sustainable economic growth.