43% of schools worldwide lack access to water, soap: UN

JOHANNESBURG: The United Nation (UN) estimates that 43 per cent schools worldwide do not have access to water for basic hand-washing. The new report comes as countries are busy planning when and how schools must be opened safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), more than one-third of the 818 million children worldwide who had no hand-washing facilities at their schools last year are in sub-Saharan Africa. The report states that while making the decision on opening of schools, the authorities should balance health issues along with economic and social ones and it also notes the detrimental effects of long closures of schools on children.

The report also points out that one in three schools globally have minimal or no potable water supply facilities.