Health programmes: WASH in public health emergencies

Emergency situations, including those due to natural hazards (e.g. earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, landslides, wildfires and droughts), technological hazards (e.g. chemical spills, disruption to infrastructure), complex situations (produced by conflict) and outbreaks, lead to health-related diseases and affect populations in all contexts. Depending upon the nature of the event, vulnerability of the people affected and capacity of local and national systems, deterioration in environmental conditions often results in a steep increase in WASH-related diarrhoeal disease. In particular, in emergencies WHO has the mandate to work with the Ministry of Health to ensure water quality and minimize water-related health risks and support provision of WASH in health care facilities. WHO works though the UN emergency cluster system normally though the WASH and IPC clusters and prepares technical notes, factsheets and technical support during emergencies.
Leading Entity
World Health Organization (WHO)
Collaborating Entity(ies)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Contributing Action Number
CA1.40
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 6.1: Achieve safe and affordable drinking water
SDG target 6.2: Achieve access to sanitation and hygiene and end open defecation
Water-related work on other SDGs
Type of Engagement
Convening of stakeholders
Normative support (e.g. development of normative guidance, guidelines and standards)
Capacity development and technical assistance
Geographical Scope
Global level
More Information
https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health/environmental-health-in-emergencies

Leading Entity

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.