Progress and challenges in water and sanitation

The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes the attainment of the highest possible level of human health. It formulates of guidelines, norms and standards, and issues technical supporting documents adapted to local challenges. WHO supports progress towards MDG 4: reduce childhood mortality through a concerted strategic approach. In the European region, the Children Environment and Health Action Plan for Europe (CEHAPE) specifically addresses environmental effects on children’s health. Progress towards MDG 7 Target 10: access to safe water and sanitation is assessed through the WHO UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. WHO develops recommendations on the realization of the basic human right to water. In the European region, the Protocol on Water and Health, the world’s first legally binding instrument on sustainable water management and reduction of waterrelated disease, obliges countries to set targets and monitor and declare progress towards these targets.

The work of WHO forms a solid scientific and practical basis for the promotion of water and sanitation in international development. Progress towards the MDGs is generally positive although regional equities are observed, particularly with regard to access to sanitation. International instruments such as the Protocol on Water and Health are an important way by which the international community can organize itself to raise to the remaining challenges before the target date of 2015.