Report: 1 in 4 Lacks Safe Water, Billions Without Toilets

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, one in four people worldwide lacks access to safe drinking water. Furthermore, a significant proportion lacks basic hygiene infrastructure, such as toilets and sanitation.

The report highlights that the international community is not on track to achieve the goal of universal access to water and sanitation services.

Key findings:

• 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water.
• 3.4 billion people live without sanitation, with 354 million defecating in the open.
• 1.7 billion people lack hygiene facilities at home.

Despite the challenges, the report acknowledges improvement since 2015, with 1.6 billion people gaining access to basic hygiene services.

Cecilia Sharp, WHO Director for WASH, emphasized that the lack of access to safe water and sanitation endangers the health and future of children.