Water/Sanitation: Does a person defecate in the woods?

Health News

Yes, if that person is part of the 1 billion people who still practice open defecation, according to the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) report by the World Health Organization (WHO). One can only hope they have better sense than to wipe with poison ivy, unlike a young Stephen King. Moreover, 2.5 billion men women and children all over the world have no access to basic sanitation services, and a further 748 million lack access to an improved drinking-water source. No clean water and soap for hand-washing leads to diarrheal disease, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, intestinal worms, blinding trachoma, schistosomiasis, and other debilitating conditions.

Worldwide efforts to improve water and sanitation are gaining steam. Around 60 of the 94 countries analyzed by the GLAAS report acknowledged drinking-water and sanitation as a universal human right in their national legislations. Over 80% reported having drinking-water and sanitation policies, and over 75% have hygiene policies and specific measures to provide water and sanitation for low-income people. Additionally, international financial commitments for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) – mostly aimed at sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and South-eastern Asia – rose from $8.3 billion to $10.9 billion between 2010 and 2012; a 30% increase.

Unfortunately, 80% of the countries said that their national financial needs far exceed their available resources, leading to funding gaps and inequalities that preclude these countries from meeting drinking-water and sanitation goals, especially in rural areas – where WASH spending amounts to less than 10% of total financing. “Water and sanitation are essential to human health. Political commitment to ensure universal access to these vital services is at an all-time high,” Director of the WHO Department of Public Health and the Environment Dr. Maria Neira said. “International aid for the sector is on the rise. But we continue to see major financial gaps at the country level, particularly in rural areas.”

Political commitment is not enough, though. Less than 30 of the countries have fully implemented, funded, or reviewed plans – and that also applies to institutional settings such as schools and health facilities. Another key challenged highlighted by the report referred to monitoring gaps. Most of the WASH monitoring frameworks in place reported inconsistent or fragmented gathering of data and weak capacity for analysis. “As we identify the financial and human resource gaps, governments and donors can be more strategic in supporting policies and in implementing sustainable programs to ensure equitable access to water and sanitation for all people,” Executive Director of the UN-based Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) Chris Williams said.

Although improved water and sanitation is not entirely a money issue, investment does bear fruit. The WHO estimates that there is a $4.3 return in the form of lower healthcare costs for every dollar invested in WASH. “For our partners, especially at country level, GLAAS is key for achieving sound, evidence-based decision-making,” Chair of Sanitation and Water for All President John Agyekum Kufuor said. “The report guides governments in knowing where progress in WASH is being made and where more resources need to be allocated.”

However, it is also a matter of taking action. “Now is the time to act,” Chair of UN-Water and Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization Michel Jarraud says. “We may not know yet what the post-2015 sustainable development agenda will look like. But we do know that water and sanitation must be clear priorities if we are to create a future that allows everyone to live healthy, prosperous and dignified lives.” The benefits include greater workplace productivity, decreased water and land pollution, increased school attendance, enhanced privacy and safety, and a magnified sense of dignity.

Related Read:

UN reveals major gaps in water and sanitation – especially in rural areas.

Water and sanitation in rural areas are ‘seriously underfunded’.

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