WHO water, sanitation, hygiene and waste strategy 2026-2035
Loading...
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Health Organization
Abstract
Description
vii, 45 p.
The WHO water, sanitation, hygiene and waste strategy 2026–2035 outlines the World Health Organization’s strategic approach to improving health through the safe and equitable management of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and waste services. Despite significant global progress, unsafe WASH conditions remain a major public health challenge, contributing to an estimated 1.4 million preventable deaths annually and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The strategy positions WASH as a core component of health systems, climate resilience and sustainable development, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2030 agenda. It emphasizes WHO’s normative role in setting standards, strengthening monitoring systems and supporting countries to integrate WASH into health policies, service delivery and emergency preparedness. Structured around three strategic results areas—norms and regulation, monitoring and evidence, and integration within health systems—the strategy promotes risk-based approaches, strengthened data systems and multisectoral collaboration. Cross-cutting priorities include climate resilience, gender equality, equity and the integration of WASH into broader health agendas such as infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance and universal health coverage. By fostering partnerships, mobilizing investment and reinforcing national systems, the strategy aims to accelerate progress towards safely managed WASH services, reduce disease burden and build resilient, equitable health systems worldwide.
The WHO water, sanitation, hygiene and waste strategy 2026–2035 outlines the World Health Organization’s strategic approach to improving health through the safe and equitable management of water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and waste services. Despite significant global progress, unsafe WASH conditions remain a major public health challenge, contributing to an estimated 1.4 million preventable deaths annually and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The strategy positions WASH as a core component of health systems, climate resilience and sustainable development, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2030 agenda. It emphasizes WHO’s normative role in setting standards, strengthening monitoring systems and supporting countries to integrate WASH into health policies, service delivery and emergency preparedness. Structured around three strategic results areas—norms and regulation, monitoring and evidence, and integration within health systems—the strategy promotes risk-based approaches, strengthened data systems and multisectoral collaboration. Cross-cutting priorities include climate resilience, gender equality, equity and the integration of WASH into broader health agendas such as infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance and universal health coverage. By fostering partnerships, mobilizing investment and reinforcing national systems, the strategy aims to accelerate progress towards safely managed WASH services, reduce disease burden and build resilient, equitable health systems worldwide.
Keywords
Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene, Hand Hygiene, Waste Management, Medical Waste Disposal, Sewage, Wastewater, Water Quality, Health Policy, Public Health Administration, Disaster Planning, Environmental Monitoring, Risk Management, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Capacity Building, Data Systems, International Cooperation, United Nations, World Health Organization, prevention and control, organization and administration, standards