The Ripple Effect: How UNICEF Supports Children's Education Through Water and Sanitization

Annabel Holman - Awareness Content Reporter

UNICEF. (n.d.). Water and sanitation. https://www.unicef.org/supply/water-and-sanitation

It can be quite obvious the damage that lack of access to clean water and proper sanitization can have on anyone, especially children. Nevertheless the health issues that present themselves in these millions of circumstances, but the lack of these basic resources continues to affect millions of children’s ability to be present in the classroom. As children feel the impact of this essential missing piece of basic living, they are behind on their educational development in their formative years. This missing piece in their lives will create barriers in their ability to flourish in their future.

The Significance of Access to Clean Water  

Internationally, millions of children do not have access to clean water. UNICEF has reported that specifically “3 in 10 schools globally do not have access to clean and safe water, impacting 546 million children.” These circumstances directly impact children and their everyday lives as it creates new problems that disrupt and put their lives in harm. A lack of access to clean and safe water can cause fatal health issues, amongst many other social issues. More specifically, illness has become a prominent pattern amongst children, and combined with the lack of sanitation resources available, the children can quickly develop illness without the necessary tools needed to become well. 

These situations are especially prominent in areas of conflict as water sources become strained and demolished. The 2021 UNICEF Water Under Fire report stated that “Direct impacts on wastewater treatment plants and associated infrastructure (e.g., wastewater pumping or lift stations) can have catastrophic health consequences for children and their families.” The report continues to detail that as a child’s body is smaller, the concentration of chemicals and toxins may have a burger concentration, making it more detrimental to the child. Additionally, it is reported that children who live in these regions are “20 times more likely to die from diarrhoeal diseases than from the violence itself.” This demonstrates the need for clean water, especially in areas affected by conflict. 

Understanding the Role of Sanitization 

Sanitization plays a significant role in a child’s well-being and is very connected to access to clean water. As sanitization is the disinfection of bacteria on an object, which can often require water, it decreases the likelihood of illness amongst those exposed. UNICEF has detailed that “hundreds of children under the age of 5 die every day from diarrhoeal diseases that could have been prevented by basic WASH (water, sanitization and hygiene) services in their homes, health centres and schools.” Children must access the required tools for sanitation to prevent sickness and be able to flourish in their communities and beyond.

Basic Resources and Education

As both a lack of clean water and sanitization can lead to a variety of sickness, it prevents children from attending their school classes. When children develop illnesses, such as diarrhea from water, it is not uncommon for them to miss long periods of school. This issue can grow if a community is experiencing a lack of clean water and sanitization services for an extended time and children repeatedly are unable to attend their classes. This has serious consequences because it has set children’s learning back and prevented them from achieving more in school and after their education. 

This issue is still present in communities internationally as UNICEF has reported that millions of children miss school due to being sick from unsafe drinking water. But, this pattern does not have to continue. UNICEF has, and actively continues to provide clean water and sanitation to more than two billion people internationally, while also teaching children good hygiene practices. This is done specifically through their WASH program, which provides clean water and sanitization to millions of children to prevent life-threatening diseases. The work is essential to the lives of children and their families. 

Additionally, UNICEF “installs water pumps and sanitization facilities so children stay hydrated and healthy.” In times of conflict and humanitarian crisis, UNICEF ensures that clean water and safe hygiene is given to those affected and in settlement camps to ensure that no disease spreads and increase WASH partners. Overall, UNICEF is taking steps to meet the international high demand of clean water and sanitization through their work and specifically programs, such as WASH.