Press releases

February 18, 2008
Bad sanitation holds back development in Africa

WaterAid is launching its new report, Giving sanitation the green light,as representatives from African governments, the private sector, NGOsand multilateral development organizations gather at AfricaSan,Africa's conference on sanitation and hygiene. The conference takesplace in Durban, South Africa, from 18-20 February.

AfricaSan aims to promote sanitation and hygiene improvementprograms in Africa and assist key African stakeholders to accelerateachievement of the UN's Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and nationaltargets for sanitation.

Without an extraordinary effort, the MDG target forsanitation will be missed. In sub-Saharan Africa, at current rates ofprogress, it will not be met until 2076 - 61 years late.

At present, sanitation is the most off-tracktarget, and lack of progress in this key area is holding up progressacross all MDGs: health, education, gender equality, maternal healthimprovements, child mortality, and combating disease and hunger.

Oliver Cumming, WaterAid's Sanitation Policy Officer, explained,"The global sanitation crisis is driven by political neglect; thesector is plagued by a lack of political priority compared to othersectors such as health and education, compounded by a chronic lack offunding. Leadership and accountability are urgently needed in order todeliver much needed sanitation to people living in poverty.

"AtWaterAid, we have produced this paper to chart what progress has beenmade and what is still needed by African governments in order that theMillennium Development Goals can be achieved."

It is clear that without an extraordinary effort, the MDG target forsanitation will be missed. In sub-Saharan Africa, at current rates ofprogress, it will not be met until 2076 - 61 years late.

The paper draws on research conducted in 12 countries, with the viewthat robust policy frameworks, institutional strength, coherence andcoordinated action are essential foundations for progress across thewhole continent. Download the full report: Giving sanitation the green light.