PHOTO: Broken sinks, no toilets, and unsafe water plague healthcare facilities around the world.
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO): FAITHS for SAFE WATER is grateful that the Biden Administration has halted withdrawal from the World Health Organization. The U.S. is an invaluable partner in global health and we stand with the global health community in gratitude.
A lone pink bucket is the water and hygiene "system" at this rural healthcare facility
Religions around the world re-tell stories of unlocking chains of bondage. Tragically, people are locked in the bondage of disease, poverty, and thirst, simply because they do not have safe water. Globally 1:4 people has no access to safe water and nearly half do not have the dignity and safety of a toilet.
From homes and schools to hundreds of thousands of healthcare facilities, billions of people must face each day without safe water, soap, toilets and sanitation. These conditions should be unimaginable and present a particularly dangerous reality for newborns, children, students, the elderly, medical staff and patients.
What can you do about it? A WHOLE LOT!
To start, upwards of 50% of healthcare facilities are run by faith-based organizations (FBOs). Let's get this most basic foundation for safe and dignified healthcare and disease prevention into every medical facility. Make sure the FBOs affiliated with your faith prioritize Water/Sanitation/Hygiene, called WASH!
We invite you to use this website to learn about the global water crisis and find free resources for religious school projects and congregations.
100+ organizations have stepped up with wide-ranging commitments to WASH in Healthcare Facilities: click here to learn more.