Water Hygiene

Today, 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water, and 3.6 billion do not have access to safe sanitation facilities. Unsafe hygiene practices are common, exacerbating the consequences on people's health. The impact on child mortality rates is severe, with over 297 000 children under the age of five dying each year from diarrheal illnesses caused by inadequate sanitation, poor hygiene, or contaminated drinking water.

Children can die as a result of poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Every day, almost 700 children under the age of five die from diarrheal illnesses caused by a lack of proper WASH services. Children in conflict zones are approximately 20 times more likely to die from diarrhea than from the fighting itself.

Here are 5 ways to improve water quality and access to water:

1. Improve sanitation by installing toilets and latrines that flush into a sewer or a secure enclosure.

2. Education can help to promote healthy hygiene practices. Hand washing with soap and water can cut diarrhea cases by up to 35%.

3. Install rainwater collection and storage devices to gather and store rainwater for drinking or refilling subterranean aquifers. Construct wells to harvest groundwater from aquifers beneath.

4. To make drinking water safe, provide household water-treatment capacity through the use of filters, sun disinfection, or flocculants.

5. To enhance water quality, promote low-cost options such as chlorine pills or plastic bottles that may be exposed to sunshine.

Schools may play an important role in beginning change by promoting healthy hygiene practices. Learning good hygiene practices at a young age can lead to lasting beneficial behaviors. Schoolchildren can also favorably impact the conduct of family members, including adults and siblings, as well as the community as a whole.

Stay Safe!

Jiya Thakker

SHARP