Health programmes: WASH for cholera prevention and control

While safe drinking water and advanced sanitation systems have made Europe and North America cholera free for decades, the disease still affects at least 47 countries across the globe, resulting in an estimated 2.9 million cases and 95,000 deaths per year worldwide. Cholera is a stark marker of inequality, disproportionately affecting the poorest and most vulnerable populations around the world and within each affected country. The global strategy for cholera control aims to reduce cholera deaths by 90% and the eliminate the disease in 20 countries by 2030. WHO works within the WASH working group of global taskforce on cholera control (GTFCC) and with the WASH sector at large to support the WASH preparedness and response in cholera hotspots alongside other critical interventions such as cholera treatment centers and deployment of cholera vaccines.

Collaborating Entity(ies)

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Contributing Action Number

CA1.39

Primary Entry Point

1: Lead and inspire collective action

Additional Entry Point(s)

3: Align UN system support for integration

Output(s)

Output 1.1: Water and sanitation issues are a strategic leadership priority for the UN System

Output 1.2: Action is inspired by compelling and unified UN system communications and messaging on water

Output 3.1: Operational and financial strategies, policies and approaches of the UN system are aligned to harness complementarity

Output 3.2: Integrated policy frameworks to manage water and sanitation across sectors are supported by the UN system using latest data and evidence

SDG 6 Target(s)

SDG target 6.2: Achieve access to sanitation and hygiene and end open defecation

SDG target 6.3: Improve water quality, wastewater and safe reuse

Water-related work on other SDGs

Type of Engagement

Convening of stakeholders

Policy advice and thought leadership

Capacity development and technical assistance

Geographical Scope

Global level

More Information

https://www.gtfcc.org/

Leading Entity

World Health Organization (WHO)

United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation

The Contributing Actions are key initiatives supporting the United Nations System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, aligning individual and joint efforts across UN entities and partnering organizations to advance global water and sanitation goals. These actions are integrated into the Collaborative Implementation Plan (CIP) Results Framework 2025-2028, which provides a structured approach to achieving system-wide impact through coordinated UN efforts.
The Priority Collaborative Actions outlined in the framework focus on enhancing water security, improving governance, strengthening climate resilience, and accelerating progress on sanitation and hygiene. By fostering system-wide collaboration among UN agencies, these actions help drive policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and innovative solutions to address the world’s most pressing water challenges.