The evidence clearly shows that sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene is essential for protecting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations and helping them reach their potential.

In May 2016, Marie Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophone, launched public consultations for the Government of Canada’s international assistance review. Through the consultations, Minister Bibeau sought the views of experts, partners and engaged citizens on the development of a new international assistance policy, funding and delivery framework, and to ensure Canadian priorities are aligned with the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development.  

Global Goal 6 commits the global community to reaching everyone, everywhere with access to water and sanitation by 2030, leaving no one behind. But with nearly 2.4 billion people still without basic toilets and more than 650 million without access to clean water, there is still much work to be done.

Women walking with water

These women are on their way back to the hospital after collecting water from the river, near Kiomboi Hospital, in Tanzania. Photo credit: WaterAid/Anna Kari

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Essential Elements of Canada’s International Development Assistance gathers together the latest research and knowledge and provides a decisive case for strengthening investment in water, sanitation and hygiene and integrating them with all of Canada’s development priorities.

Safe water, sanitation and hygiene are critical for the health, empowerment and livelihoods of mothers, and adolescent girls, and for ensuring that children and newborns get a healthy start. By building on Canada’s leadership in maternal newborn and child health and the rights of women and girls, Canada is in a position to lead by example and champion the human right to water, sanitation and hygiene at home and abroad. The evidence clearly shows that sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene are essential for protecting the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations and helping them reach their potential.