UNICEF and the Baxter International Foundation partner to protect the health of children in Egypt
Programme to reach nearly 590,000 families and children with climate-resilient water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services
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With the support of the Baxter International Foundation, UNICEF is equipping more than 4,000 vulnerable households in Egypt with safe water and sewage connections in five water challenged regions: Aswan, Assiut, Qena, Minya and Luxor.
Ahlam Ayat is grateful that she now has a safe and clean water connection in her house in Assuit, where it was very difficult for her to fetch water for her family and children. "When there was no water, my children and most of the children of the neighborhood helped their mothers to fetch water in the vicinity. Thankfully, we now have water in our house, and we finally feel safe,” Ahlam said.” Now, I don’t have to worry about saving water for the household or even if the water we got from outside is contaminated or clean,” she added.
Like Ahlam, many women and families face a daily challenge: where to get clean, safe drinking water? Women often have to walk for hours to fetch water, sometimes in unsafe places. In some cases, the water they do have access to isn’t safe for drinking. Bringing water systems into their homes and communities can drastically change their lives. The less time women and girls have to spend fetching water, the more time they are able to spend attending school, playing with their friends and helping lift up their communities.
Improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in health facilities are crucial to ensure the quality of care and minimize the risk of infection for visiting patients and their families, as well as for health workers and others in the community. Through the partnership with the Baxter International Foundation, UNICEF is working with the Government of Egypt to help national health workers deliver high quality WASH and nutrition services in the targeted regions.
UNICEF is also supporting more than 100 primary healthcare units with rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure (toilets, hand wash basins, sewage systems), installation of water tanks and distribution of basic hygiene kits to children visiting these centers.
In addition, 50 health facilities in the country will adopt climate smart models through the installation of energy efficient devices, including solar panels and efficient electrification.
Through this partnership, UNICEF is also supporting 150 schools and 40 nurseries in implementing climate change action plans and mitigation strategies. Teachers, caregivers and children are also taking part in activities to raise awareness of sustainable water, clean environment and best hygiene practices.
Thanks to the Baxter International Foundation for their support as UNICEF works to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of children throughout Egypt.
