Harmonizing Action on NTDs and WASH

Clean water to drink. Toilets and handwashing stations with running water for washing hands. All these things help stop disease and keep us healthy.

But many people in Nigeria like most parts of the world still do not have adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). This contributes to the spread of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) like leprosy, which can cause disabilities and drive people deeper into poverty.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) occur in some 150 countries and typically affect the poorest and most marginalized communities in Africa, Asia, and the Americas that do not have adequate access to clean water and sanitation and live in close contact with vectors of disease. About 1·6 billion people worldwide, including more than 500 million children, are at risk of one or more NTDs and NTDs cost affected economies billions of dollars. For many people living with NTDs, stigma and discrimination remain unchallenged

With Africa bearing nearly 40% of the global NTD burden, it is not surprising that our people are the most at risk and the most impacted.

As a result, we are increasing access to sanitation and hygiene, and reinforcing improved hygiene and sanitation behaviors that reduce the risk of STH, Schistosomiasis and Trachoma infection in Nigeria through the Harmonizing Action on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (HANDWASH) Project.

Our Current project, the Harmonizing Action on NTDs and WASH (HANDWASH) is increasing access to sanitation and hygiene, and reinforce improved hygiene and sanitation behaviors that reduce the risk of NTDs in Nigeria