Sanitation and Water for All - a UNICEF-hosted global partnership

Catarina de Albuquerque was in New York when #hurricanesandy hit 12 years ago. She was there to present a report to the United Nations General Assembly on the #humanrights to water and sanitation. That didn't happen, but something bigger did. She explains more below.

Our CEO Catarina de Albuquerque will join Samuel Viana Meyler in Lisbon on 13 November at the event "The State of Water", organized by Ar.   Samuel will present the documentary "The Story of Water," which examines the crisis in Baixo Alentejo, Portugal. Catarina will draw connections to the global water crisis.   Join them in person or online! All the details 👇

2024 is the largest election year in history around the globe: 4.2 billion people have elected or are heading to the polls. That's half the world's population! A lot of people have the opportunity to motivate governments with their votes.   In this pivotal year, civil society organizations have worked hard to implement strategies that influence political parties and candidates around water and sanitation issues. On Thursday 24 October, SWA, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation & End Water Poverty will showcase their successes and challenges, and discuss election campaigning strategies with speakers from Mexico, DRC, Belgium (EU elections), Ghana, and Pakistan.   Details & registration 👇

"The world faces a growing water disaster. For the first time in human history, the hydrological cycle is out of balance, undermining an equitable and sustainable future for all." A new report from Global Commission on the Economics of Water highlights the risks we are collectively facing and SWA CEO Catarina de Albuquerque explains more below. Reports like this are a huge amount of work and we're grateful for the issues and actions it reflects back to us. We welcome these recommendations alongside the work we have been doing and will do to recognize the human rights to water and sanitation for all. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/g_K7Zc5J #EconomicsOfWater #YouthWaterAgenda #WaterAction #WaterFinance #GlobalGoals #SDG6

We're #hiring 👉 Finance, Systems and Accountability Coordinator. The new colleague at SWA will help our global partnership implement the Strategic Framework related to financing, systems strengthening and accountability. If you have experience in water and sanitation, coordination, research, and strategic planning, as well as financing & accountability, we'd like to meet you! 📆 Deadline 2 November: https://lnkd.in/eYfxeBr7 #JobAlert #JobVacancy #WASHjobs #waterjobs #vacancy

The importance of hand hygiene has never been clearer: it reduces one in five respiratory infections and cuts episodes of diarrhea by nearly half. It is also one of the most effective tools in combating antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health threat. Yet despite these clear benefits, the world is falling short of its commitments. #GlobalHandwashingDay is yet another reminder that access to soap and water remains elusive for too many: 2 billion people, who already face the compounded challenges of poverty, exclusion, and discrimination. Together, we can create a world where no one is left behind, where everyone has the opportunity to wash their hands, stay healthy, and thrive.

We are thrilled to welcome Jigmi Y. Thinley, the first democratically elected Prime Minister of Bhutan (2008–2013), to SWA's Global Leadership Council. This high-level group helps to champion the need for universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene at regional and global levels. “Against the backdrop of our planet’s rapidly diminishing and disappearing fresh water sources, billions still have no access to the basic survival prerequisites of clean water and sanitation. With even the most prosperous cities and farmlands now faced with mounting inadequacy of this hitherto inexhaustible resource, water has already become humanity’s greatest existential threat. I have always emphasized the imperative of water and sanitation as deserving the highest priority in development policies and plans. I am, therefore, very pleased and honored to join the mission of the Sanitation and Water for All global partnership as a Global Leader.”

In 2008 Catarina de Albuquerque became the first UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. SWA's (now) CEO became a fresh voice in a field that was in desperate need of greater ambition, action, and accountability. Two years later, water and sanitation were recognized as human rights by the UN General Assembly.   Fast forward to 2024 and we have another "first": Ms. Retno L.P. Marsudi has been appointed as the UN’s first Special Envoy on Water, a powerful signal that water is becoming a top priority at the global, regional and national levels. Catarina de Albuquerque shares her perspective here.

#ClimateChange and water are inextricably linked. Climate variability fuels droughts, floods, and extreme weather, disrupting water cycles and infrastructure. This not only threatens health but also exacerbates socio-economic vulnerabilities. In fact, inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene services contribute significantly to global disease burdens, with climate change expected to worsen these impacts. Addressing water access isn't just about meeting basic needs; it's about building community resilience and ensuring sustainable development. As temperatures rise and water scarcity increases, the need for integrated water management becomes more pressing. Long-term solutions must address infrastructure challenges and support vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by water insecurity. Together, we can break the cycle of climate-induced water challenges. Let's prioritize resilient water access to safeguard health, promote equity, and secure a sustainable future. #WaterforClimate #SWAinAction

We are excited to launch a new campaign focused on #ClimateChange and its critical impact on water and sanitation. Over the next four weeks, we will delve into how the SWA partnership is supporting work on climate policy, showcase examples of countries that are working on making their water and sanitation systems more resilient to climate change, and breakdown some of that complicated climate jargon. Join us in highlighting the importance of climate adaptation and mitigation for a sustainable future. #WaterforClimate