The effects of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene go far beyond thirst and dirty hands. They also have a direct impact on people’s livelihood, education and economic development in general.

Many national governments, development partners and civil society have acknowledged these effects and have invested significantly in additional water and sanitation services. Statistics do show improvements in water coverage as a result. However, operation and maintenance of water facilities remains one of the biggest challenges: between 30 and 40% of water facilities in the poorest countries are still not functional.

Our objectives
Through our activities, we aim to:

1: ensure that increasing numbers of poor households and vulnerable groups are able to enjoy the benefits of safe drinking water and improved sanitation
2: improve the health of these populations so that they can engage productively in local economies
3: increase the financial sustainability of services by involving the private sector and promoting the economic value of water　
4: support sound water resource management of river basins and watersheds to ensure that today’s water resources will also benefit future generations
5: promote integration of water resource management and efficiency of water use to avoid violent conflict in places where there is scarcity.

We strengthen the technical and organisational skills of local clients from the public, private and NGO sectors so as to increase sustainable and equitable access to improved water and sanitation in rural and peri-urban areas. We have a group of 119 highly qualified water and sanitation advisors, both national and international, committed to working in disadvantaged and remote areas to support organisations at their own pace of development. Our approach to development in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector is to bring a range of parties together from across the sector, to generate and share knowledge, to identify opportunities for intervention, and foster learning and joint action.