Health programmes: WASH for prevention and control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

Water, sanitation and hygiene are critical in the prevention and management of all neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) scheduled for intensified control, elimination or eradication by 2030. Sanitation plays a key role in preventing exposure to diseases such as soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, or trachoma, while safe water and hygienic conditions in health facilities and in homes are essential for the management and care of many NTDs. WHO support the achievement of the NTD roadmap though its global strategy on WASH and NTDs, WASH and NTD toolkit and technical support such as via the NGO network on NTDs (NNN).

Contributing Action Number

CA3.24

Primary Entry Point

3: Align UN system support for integration

Additional Entry Point(s)

2: Engage better for countries

Output(s)

Output 2.1: Expertise and resources are fully leveraged by the UN system to support countries, with emphasis on the water and sanitation needs of developing countries

Output 2.2: Diverse stakeholders and partnerships are mobilized by the UN system to support countries’ progress on water and sanitation

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

Policy advice and thought leadership

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/burden-of-disease/wash-and-neglected-tropical-diseases

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.