Water and Sanitation
Overview Water, sanitation and hygiene are key to child survival, development and growth. Mid-way to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the water and sanitation situation in West and Central Africa remains a major concern. Despite the efforts made by some countries, approximately 175 million people in West and Central Africa – that is less than one in two - are without access to safe drinking water and, current trends indicate that only half the countries will reach the water target. The situation of sanitation is even more worrying as 285 million people do not have access to improved sanitation, of which 100 million have access to no sanitation facilities at all, and, no country is on track to achieve the MDG target for sanitation. The implications of this situation for children are shocking: millions of children die each year from water-borne diseases such as diarrhea – the second leading cause of child mortality in a region where two children out of ten die before their fifth birthday. Resources on access to water and sanitation in West and Central Africa Case studies on the European Commission-UNICEF partnership for water and sanitation [Cote d'Ivoire; Burkina] Facts and figures on water and sanitation Maps on water and sanitation coverage in the region
Photo Essay A series of photo essays illustrating the state of sanitation in the region
[View photo essay] Resources Overview Publications Progress on drinking water and sanitation •A snapshot of drinking water in Africa (June 08) •A snapshot of sanitation in Africa (June 08)
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•A child's view on sanitation