Tackling the global water and sanitation crisis

The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of clean water and sanitation. In particular, handwashing has become an essential habit that can reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, yet worldwide, three billion people still cannot access handwashing facilities. Additionally, 2.2 billion lack access to safe drinking water and 4.2 billion are currently living without any sanitation services. These figures show the urgent need for global action. The global water crisis is not recent, yet little has been done to tackle the issue. The pandemic is that call for action. Financing water and sanitation projects worldwide is crucial to combat both COVID-19 and the water crisis. An increase in investment into water and sanitation services is needed, and this will require governments all around the world to work not just at the national level but globally too. In Indonesia, for example, low-income households have been able to access services as a result of government grants. Moreover, in the Pacific Islands of Kiribati and the Marshall Islands, finance has been secured through social-impact bonds and by the governments securing funds for climate change.