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More efforts are still needed to realize the basic human rights to clean water ‎and sanitation in the Pan-European region

Over 31 million people in the Pan-European region lack access to basic sanitation services and 314,000 people still practice open defecation. Every day, 14 people die because of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). In addition, there are significant inequalities in access to basic sanitation services between rural and urban areas, and between rich and poor communities – affecting households, schools and hospitals. The release of untreated wastewater to the environment also constitutes a significant problem in the region.


World Toilet Day, celebrated on 19 November, is an important occasion that reminds us of the need for safe sanitation services for the well-being of all. “Recognize that a toilet is not just a toilet,” explains Dr Piroska Östlin, WHO Regional Director for Europe a.i., “it protects your dignity, your health, and the health of those around you.”


Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health

World Toilet Day this year also marks the start of the fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health, taking place in Belgrade, Serbia on 19–21 November 2019. Jointly serviced by WHO/Europe and UNECE, the Protocol, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year “is a pioneer instrument” explains Ms Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary, “to support countries’ concrete efforts to realize the basic human rights to safe drinking water and the provision of sanitation for everyone, through integrated water resources management and intersectoral cooperation”.


Spurred on by strong opening calls for action from the Prime Minister of Serbia, Her Excellency Ms. Ana Brnabić and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, this high-level intergovernmental meeting aims to drive forward the water and sanitation agenda in the pan-European region. “As we enter the decade of action to deliver the SDGs, I urge all countries to ratify the Protocol and strive for its full implementation” said the Secretary-General.


New tools and guidance for implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health

Supported by a new practical guide for joint implementation of the Protocol and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, representatives from over 40 countries - Protocol Parties and other States, NGOs, development agencies, academia and private sector from the pan-European region will discuss during 3 days political and technical dimensions of the following key areas:


  • supporting effective governance of water, sanitation and health through target setting and reporting;
  • preventing and reducing water-related diseases through better surveillance and outbreak management;
  • ensuring all schools and health-care facilities have good water, sanitation and hygiene;
  • improving water supply and sanitation in rural communities;
  • managing water supply and sanitation systems in a safe and efficient manner;
  • realising the human rights to water and sanitation by ensuring equitable access for all;
  • increasing climate resilience of water and sanitation infrastructure.


The Meeting will be an important opportunity to review achievements, reflect on challenges and identify the need for further action. The Meeting will also launch a series of practical tools and guidance to support the Member States in making progress in the areas of equitable access, surveillance and outbreak management of water and sanitation, as well as WASH in schools.


Useful links:
Fifth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health
http://www.unece.org/env/water/5thsession/mop/protocol.html
Protocol on Water and Health
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/water-and-sanitation/country-work
https://www.unece.org/env/water/pwh_text/text_protocol.html
Protocol on Water and Health and the 2030 Agenda: A Practical Guide for Joint Implementation
http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=52057
Strengthening drinking-water surveillance using risk-based approaches
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/water-and-sanitation/publications/2019/strengthening-drinking-water-surveillance-using-risk-based-approaches-2019
Improving health and learning through better water, sanitation and hygiene in schools. An information package for school staff
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/water-and-sanitation/publications/2019/improving-health-and-learning-through-better-water,-sanitation-and-hygiene-in-schools.-an-information-package-for-school-staff-2019
Surveillance and outbreak management of water-related infectious diseases associated with water-supply systems
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/water-and-sanitation/publications/2019/surveillance-and-outbreak-management-of-water-related-infectious-diseases-associated-with-water-supply-systems-2019
Surveillance of water, sanitation and hygiene in schools. A practical tool
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/water-and-sanitation/publications/2019/surveillance-of-water,-sanitation-and-hygiene-in-schools.-a-practical-tool-2019
The Human Rights to Water and Sanitation in Practice: Findings and lessons learned from the work on equitable access to water and sanitation under the Protocol on Water and Health in the pan-European region
http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=52870

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