Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and Climate change
Clean water, air, sanitation and hygiene are vital for child development.
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- Mongolian
The challenges
Low use of improved water sources (68 per cent) and sanitation facilities (58 per cent) constitute another child priority. Access to improved sanitation for rural and poorer households are significantly low compared to urban and wealthy households. This situation is worrisome, considering that unsafe water and unsafe hygiene practices are the main causes of diarrhoea and hepatitis. The former is the third largest cause of under-five mortality and the latter is becoming endemic and accounts for 22 per cent of communicable diseases.
The most important causes of low access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are related to persisting negative social and cultural practices and beliefs as well as limited quality infrastructure. This is further worsened by the effects of climate change on already limited and declining freshwater sources, increased desertification and pollution, remoteness of populations and an overall low prioritization at the policy and budgetary level.
The solutions
UNICEF will support the Government to ensure that the most disadvantaged children benefit from increased access and utilization of WASH services and reduced environmental pollution and natural disaster risks. Followings are some priority areas of interventions:
- Support construction and improved operation/maintenance of innovative, child-friendly, and climate-resilient WASH facilities in schools, dormitories, and kindergartens, communities and ger areas
- Support increased participation of communities in drinking water and sanitation facility planning and water quality monitoring
- Support the strengthening of the systems for environmental health, hygiene and menstrual health
- Support the development and implementation of a long-term plan for WASH policy and financing strategy
- Support the capacity strengthening and response to ensure emergency preparedness of WASH systems
- Increase access to and use of safely managed water and sanitation services for children and adolescents, particularly the most disadvantaged, including people with disabilities
- Promote positive behaviors and social norms on menstrual hygiene
- Research and evidence: Research and testing of renewable energy solutions for reduced greenhouse gas emissions for Mongolian traditional gers and private housing
- Capacity building and advocacy: Provide support to research on environmental pollution and climate change, environmental risk assessment, planning and implementation, and policy advocacy
- Low-carbon, energy efficient technology: Get CHIP packages to more households and ger kindergartens. Implement heating solutions project for the general building for the kindergarten and the administration located in Yarguit bagh of Orkhon province relying on solar augmented geothermal energy. Implement a model project for using solar energy and low greenhouse gas emission technology for heating gers and private homes. Use small-scale sensors for monitoring IAQ in schools and kindergartens.
- Empowerment and engagement of youth: Climate Change and Youth international forum, YOUCCAN, Teem parliament initiative. Implement projects in schools to encourage environmental initiatives by teachers and students.
