2 in 5 schools worldwide lacked basic handwashing facilities prior to the coronavirus

shailesh October 12, 2012

Handwashing using soap and water is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of disease, including COVID-19.

It is also a key condition for schools to be able to reopen and operate safely in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.

Yet 2 in 5 schools worldwide lacked basic handwashing facilities prior to the coronavirus outbreak, putting nearly 818 million children at increased risk of COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses, according to the latest data from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) (https://data.unicef.org/resources/progress-on-drinking-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-in-schools-special-focus-on-covid-19?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wash_schools_covid19_focus) .

The risk is particularly high for children in the least developed countries, where 7 out of 10 schools lack basic handwashing facilities and half of schools lack basic sanitation and drinking water services.

Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools: Special focus on COVID-19

School closures around the world have so far affected up to 1.6 billion children, presenting an unprecedented challenge to their education and wellbeing. In order to prioritize children’s learning and safety, we must make sure that schools are safe to reopen, focusing on the access to soap and water, clean drinking water and safe sanitation.

Access to these services is essential for effective infection prevention and disease control in all settings, including schools.

Progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in schools: Special focus on COVID-19

Access the report (https://data.unicef.org/resources/progress-on-drinking-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-in-schools-special-focus-on-covid-19?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wash_schools_covid19_focus)
Access the interactive dashboard (https://data.unicef.org/resources/wash-in-schools-data-viz/)
Access the data (https://data.unicef.org/resources/dataset/drinking-water-sanitation-hygiene-database/)

Senders Contact—

Mark Hereward
Associate Director, Data & Analytics
Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring
UNICEF