Water, sanitation and hygiene
Providing adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services is critical to improving the survival, health and development of children.
Context
Tanzania’s Constitution recognizes the human right to water and sanitation, and national plans reflect the importance of equitable access to quality WASH services. The country has made notable progress in recent years, with three in five households having access to improved drinking water (98% in Zanzibar). 31% of families use improved toilets and 47% have handwashing stations at home. Girls and women are disproportionately affected by the burden of fetching water, inadequate menstrual health and hygiene services at school, and poor WASH services in healthcare facilities, which puts mothers and newborns at risk. Climate change and rapid population growth compound the WASH challenges, which need to be addressed to ensure that no one is left behind.
UNICEF in action
UNICEF assists the Government in expanding access to reliable WASH services for children, adolescents, and families in need, especially the most vulnerable. Priority is given to the needs of girls and women. UNICEF works on strengthening institutions, empowering communities, and investing in WASH infrastructure to improve WASH Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices in schools and healthcare facilities. UNICEF supports the Government in increasing planning, budgeting, and implementation capacity while also supporting system strengthening. In collaboration with other UN agencies, UNICEF addresses climate risks and responds to emergency and humanitarian situations that arise.