世界发展银行-Water-Supply,-Sanitation,-and-Hygiene-_WASH_-and-COVID-19-_-Critical-WASH-Interventions-for-Effective-COVID-19-Pandemic-Response_4页_1mb

报告摘要

Summary of Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and COVID-19

Core Content

The Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services play a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Proper WASH practices, particularly hand hygiene, are among the most effective measures to reduce the transmission of the virus. Additionally, safe water supply and sanitation are essential not only for pandemic response but also for building resilience against future diseases and mitigating secondary impacts on communities and public services.

Main Points

1. Critical WASH Interventions for Effective Pandemic Response

Preparedness and Emergency Response:
- Ensure safe WASH services and medical waste management in health care facilities to protect patients and staff.
- Support behavior change communication for handwashing, food hygiene, and safe water practices.
- Provide rapid, low-cost water access to underserved communities, schools, and health care facilities.
- Safely manage shared and institutional sanitation to prevent virus spread and protect users and workers.
- Support water supply and sanitation utilities with emergency funding and resources to maintain service continuity.
Mitigate Secondary Impacts:
- Ensure financial and technical support to maintain WASH services during crises.
- Provide fee waivers and in-kind distributions to vulnerable populations.
- Strengthen supply chain viability for hygiene products and essential equipment.
Build Resilience Against Future Diseases:
- Strengthen WASH systems to reduce the risk of diseases like diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and measles.
- Improve health care and school WASH services for long-term public health benefits.
- Enhance multisectoral policy coordination to address antimicrobial resistance and other public health challenges.

Key Information

Hand hygiene is the most important measure to prevent infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Fecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 has not been reported, and the virus is likely to be inactivated faster in water than other enteric viruses.
The World Bank Group (WBG) has taken action through its Water Global Practice (WGP) to support WASH-related initiatives in response to the pandemic.
WASH services are vital for health care facilities, schools, and public spaces to ensure hygiene, safety, and continuity of services.
Financial and technical support is needed to sustain WASH services during and after the crisis, especially in low-income and fragile countries.

Current Water GP Response

The Water GP has established a Task Force to coordinate WASH support across thematic and regional focal points.
It has assessed ongoing WASH projects in the Health and Education sectors in multiple countries.
The Water GP is leveraging existing systems through emergency response components, additional financing, and new programs.
It is coordinating with UN agencies such as UNICEF and WHO to provide coordinated support to affected countries.
The Water GP is preparing response materials to guide its actions and ensure effective delivery of WASH interventions.

References

WHO/UNICEF Technical Brief: March 19, 2020, on WASH and waste management for the COVID-19 virus.
UNHCR Website: For WASH needs assessments in refugee emergencies.
Countries with Ongoing WASH Projects:
- Health sector: 16 countries with 22 World Bank projects.
- Education sector: 24 countries with 32 World Bank projects.