Hyderabad: The World Health Organisation (WHO) in a recent statement said that water, sanitation, and hand hygiene, together with physical distancing, are central to preventing the spread of COVID-19, and the first line of defence for saving lives and health systems. Handwashing with water and soap kills the virus but requires access to running water in sufficient quantities.
The statement said that response plans—at national, regional, and global levels—must, therefore, prioritize water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The statement emphasised that leaders, who recognize the role of water, sanitation, and hygiene in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and prioritize international collaboration and support, will save lives.
The statement was signed by a range of world leaders and heads of international organizations, including the President of the Asian Development Bank.
The WHO called upon all national, regional, and global leaders to join them in:
Making water, sanitation and hygiene available to everyone, eliminating inequalities and leaving no one behind, taking care of those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. This includes the elderly, people with disabilities, women and girls, and those living in precarious situations, such as in informal settlements, refugee camps, detention centres, homeless people, as well as those people whose livelihoods are limited or destroyed by measures put in place to stop the spread of the virus, and women who shoulder the vast majority of unpaid care work in a crisis. These measures are critical, not just to protect these vulnerable populations from COVID-19, but also to prevent other infectious diseases that can spread when water, sanitation, and hygiene services are disrupted.
Working collaboratively with all stakeholders in a coordinated manner to improve water and sanitation services, as each actor, whether public, private, donor, or civil society has something to offer to protect populations from COVID-19. Coordinated action is more effective, including urgent immediate action to establish handwashing facilities within health care facilities and at entrance points to public or private commercial buildings and public transport facilities. Partnerships such as Sanitation and Water for All are key platforms for national, regional, and international cooperation and exchange of experiences.
Ensuring that water and sanitation systems are resilient and sustainable to protect people’s health and support national health systems. Undisrupted global supply chains, including the movement of goods and production capacity, for water, sanitation, and hygiene commodities and services must be maintained at all costs. Water, sanitation, and hygiene workers must also be granted sufficient protection to be able to provide people with such services without disruption.
Prioritizing the mobilization of finance to support countries in their response to this crisis. Any financing directed at supporting emergency interventions must have long-term solutions already in mind. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene must be affordable to all, and this may require additional funding to support service providers and help those who cannot afford it.
Delivering accurate information in a transparent manner. Consistent and rational messaging based on scientific advice that is accessible to everyone will help people to understand the threat and enable everyone to act accordingly.
The statement said that COVID-19 is not the first and will not be the last epidemic that countries will face. It said that the resilience to future crises will depend on how well we act now, as well as on policies, institutions, and capacity put in place during normal times.
