Our charity's "WaSH" programmes
Water and sanitation facilities prevent the spread of diseases like cholera and are critical to improving health and economic prospects. We also believe these are some of the essential aspects of turning a house into a healthy home.
WaSH – Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Through our programmes, we aim to:
- Build latrines and water supply systems
- Dig and cover sewage systems
- Create waste management systems
- Educate on basic hygiene
We work holistically and our WaSH programmes help to ensure that the homes we build have safe, decent facilities for a family to stay healthy and be able to live their lives to their fullest.
Tackling poor sanitation worldwide
Over 1 billion people
globally do not have access to improved water supply sources.
“The most affected are the populations in developing countries, living in extreme conditions of poverty, normally peri-urban dwellers or rural inhabitants.” (World Health Organisation, 2013)
2.4 billion people
do not have access to any type of improved sanitation facility.
At Habitat for Humanity, we work with many communities to add clean water supplies and provide sanitary toilets. However, the provision of toilets and water by themselves is often not enough to bring about health changes such as a reduction in diarrhoea; another element is needed.
About 2 million people
die every year due to diarrhoeal diseases, most of them children less than 5 years of age.
Many people look at water and think that if it looks clear, it is safe to drink. This attitude leads to the spread of waterborne diseases, as clear water can still harbour harmful micro-organisms and parasites. Likewise, the provision of toilets without good personal hygiene will not lead to health improvements.
