The Global Annual Results Report on Goal Area 4 from UNICEF’s Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 shines a light on crucial issues like water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), alongside climate and disaster resilience. This plan aims to ensure every child can access safe water, sanitation, and live in a healthy environment.
In 2024, UNICEF focused on several key areas: providing direct WASH services, empowering governments to enhance their national systems, and tackling climate change, particularly for the most vulnerable children. UNICEF’s Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan for 2023-2030 seeks to fulfill children’s rights to a clean and safe environment, aligning with global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Here are some significant achievements:
- 18 million people gained access to basic sanitation, while 33.3 million secured safe water. Basic hand hygiene services reached 21 million, along with WASH support for 8,677 schools and 3,827 healthcare facilities.
- During humanitarian crises, UNICEF reached 41 million with water and 9.4 million with sanitation services.
- 6.7 million people were provided with climate-resilient water services, and 3 million with climate-resilient sanitation. Additionally, 2,118 solar-powered water systems were deployed.
- By April 2025, the Today and Tomorrow Initiative (TTI) delivered over $11.4 million in insurance payouts and $6.9 million in climate adaptation investments, benefiting 13.5 million people across several countries, including Bangladesh and Haiti.
Recent data shows that access to clean water remains a pressing issue. According to WHO, over 2 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water at home. This situation highlights the continued need for UNICEF’s efforts and initiatives.
Experts emphasize that sustainable WASH services are vital for children’s health and education. Dr. Clara Thorne, a public health expert, notes, “Access to clean water and sanitation significantly reduces childhood mortality rates. It’s not just about service delivery, but creating resilient communities.” This sentiment underscores the importance of UNICEF’s approach, focusing on both immediate and long-term solutions.
As climate change poses additional challenges, UNICEF’s strategies, such as the use of solar-powered systems, demonstrate innovation in addressing these urgent needs. The social media conversation around water access is growing. Hashtags like #WaterIsLife and #WASHForAll are trending, showing widespread public support for these essential services.
In summary, UNICEF’s work in water and sanitation is crucial—both now and for the future. Their ongoing commitment is helping many find a path to healthier lives in a changing world.
