Discussion Paper on WASH & Health - Prevention is the best medicine - WASH in times of COVID-19

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is an essential component to “ensure that all human beings can fulfil their potential in dignity and equality and in a healthy environment” (Agenda 2030, preamble). The intrinsic link between health and WASH becomes evident in many facets: The combat against many Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) requires WASH in the prevention and even treatment. Controlling zoonoses assigns WASH a central role in the comprehensive “One Health” approach. And today more than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the importance of hygiene to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.

Content - Summary

The Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA), an international network of partner organisations and individual members, plays an important role at the WASH and health linkage. Direct and indirect connections are anchored in most of SuSanA’s 13 working groups. While none of them focuses on health only, all of them contribute to services, processes or approaches that are fundamental to achieve sustainable WASH and health impact. This discussion paper visualizes current opportunities and activities from the SuSanA community and highlights synergies between SuSanA working groups and several key issues of the health sector.
Furthermore, it is a starting point for dialogue and collaboration with / for implementing organisations of the health sector. In this regard, the discussion paper intends to address the following topics:
- No Health without WASH
- SuSanA as Network for Sustainable Solutions
- Annex: Glossary of Key Health Terms and Actors

Bibliographic information

Toetzke, J. (2020). Discussion Paper on WASH & Health - Prevention is the best medicine - WASH in times of COVID-19. SuSanA

Filter tags

English Practitioners

Further readings

Download