NEW YORK/ISLAMABAD: UNICEF recently took notice of cholera spreading fast in Haiti in the face of Hurricane Matthew as well as in war-ravaged Yemen.
On the eve of Global Handwashing Day, it urged communities, families and children to always wash hands with soap to help prevent the spread of diseases. It was also said that last year, more than 300,000 children under the age of five died across the world from diarrhoeal infections a rate of more than 800 deaths per day. Since this disease is closely linked to poor access to safe drinking water and sanitation, many of these deaths could have been prevented through the simple act of washing hands with soap.
UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Sanjay Wijesekera, said on the occasion, “Every year, 1.4 million children are dying from largely preventable diseases like pneumonia and diarrhea.” He further added, “These are staggering numbers, but they could be greatly reduced by working with children and families to adopt a very straightforward solution – handwashing. We know, for example, that handwashing with soap before meals and after using the toilet could reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal infections by 40 per cent.”
A proper handwashing practice significantly contributes to children’s healthy development by keeping them in school. Handwashing actually improves school attendance by reducing the spread of preventable diseases, which in turn reduces the number of absences. Wijesekera also opined, “Handwashing just makes sense as a frontline preventive measure to keep children safe from disease – it’s simple, cost effective and a proven lifesaver.”
Every year, diarrhoea claims more than 53,000 children in Pakistan. If a proper hygiene that includes washing hands with soap at critical times is ensured, these numbers can be reduced. Government studies have repeatedly suggested that only about 63.5 percent of households in Pakistan are reported to have water and soap available for hand washing-the numbers being significantly starker in rural areas.
UNICEF along with its partners works extensively–in conjunction with various communities–to promote the usage of low-cost handwashing facilities at households. Even in schools, UNICEF promotes group handwashing sessions where children are taught how to promote hygiene by practices that they can later replicate at home.
