Rehabilitation of school sanitation facilities improves access to safe WASH services for children in Iran

UNICEF has supported the rehabilitation of sanitation facilities in 41 schools in Khorasan Razavi and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, helping improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services for thousands of children. The rehabilitation of 33 schools was supported through funding provided by the Government of France.

Implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Organization for Development, Renovation and Equipping of Schools, the interventions focused on schools hosting large numbers of Afghan refugee and vulnerable Iranian children. The rehabilitation works included improvements to water supply systems, sanitation facilities and handwashing areas.

Improving learning environments for children

In Khorasan Razavi Province, WASH rehabilitation activities were carried out in 15 schools in Mashhad’s Tabadkan and District No. 5 areas. In Sistan and Baluchestan Province, rehabilitation works reached 18 schools in Zahedan and Zabol. Overall, more than 23,000 students benefited from improved WASH facilities in the targeted schools.

The activities aimed to support safer and healthier learning environments by improving children’s access to functional and hygienic sanitation services in schools. These interventions also contributed to strengthening hygiene practices and reducing risks associated with inadequate WASH facilities.

Supporting children’s health and hygiene

Alongside the rehabilitation works, UNICEF supported health and hygiene promotion activities for students, parents and school staff in the two provinces. 40 health teachers and focal points were trained to better support children and families with health and hygiene promotion activities. Hygiene kits were distributed to families, and schools received essential health equipment to support children’s wellbeing and access to basic health services.