Prioritise WASH to rebuild & save $millions, African, European Ministers urged
People-centered economic recovery and resilience will be at the center of the second African Union and European Union Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting slated for 26 October in Kigali.
WaterAid believes strengthening access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is critical for sustainable and inclusive economic recovery and to build communities’ resilience in the face of the climate and health crises both Europe and Africa are going through.
WaterAid calls on both continents leaders to seize the opportunity of the Ministerial meeting and the upcoming summit, planned for February 2022, to promote a transformative shift towards healthier, more sustainable, and equitable economies and societies.
To be prepared to address the next pandemic, but also all the major health threats that currently undermine Africa’s development – including antimicrobial resistance, WaterAid believes that strengthening the provision of essential services like WASH, especially in public places such as healthcare facilities, schools and markets, is a best buy approach.
As recently demonstrated by WaterAid ‘Mission critical’ report1, every $1 spent on ensuring WASH infrastructure is resilient to flooding could avoid at least $62 in flood restoration costs as well as preventing life-threatening contamination of water sources.
Access to WASH is essential to help communities to withstand emergencies and adapt to the changing climate, while enabling them to meet their basic needs.
