
hands4health
Hand hygiene, water quality and sanitation in primary health care facilities and schools not connected to functional water supply systems
Current situation
Proper and frequent hand hygiene is one of the most important measures that can be taken to prevent the transmission of diarrheal diseases, respiratory diseases and (re-)emerging infections.
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are central to the ability to maintain hygienic environments and prevent disease transmission in both health care facilities and schools. In 2019, the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Global Baseline Report estimated that over 45% of primary health care facilities and 50% of schools in LMICs do not have access to handwashing facilities, basic hygiene and water supply systems. Moreover, administrators and staff of health care facilities and schools often lack the capacity and knowledge to manage WASH services adequately. This holds particularly true in a context where functional water supply is lacking, rendering the provision of adequate WASH services intractable.

Our Vision
To join our experiences and efforts to establish a systematic approach to hand hygiene and WASH in primary health care facilities and schools serving the most vulnerable populations.

Target Population
Off-grid schools and health care facilities with poor WASH services, located in conflict-affected areas, refugee and internally displaced camps, informal settlements and remote rural areas.

10 Partners
NGOs, academia and private sector entities

8 Work Packages
Four-year project timeline: 2021-2024

4 Countries
Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Palestine
Latest news
- Focus group discussions – PalestineFGDs in Palestine Promoting hand hygiene is crucial to decrease the transmission of infectious diseases. However, many schools in Palestine lack functional water resources and depend mainly on water trucking as a source… Read More »Focus group discussions – Palestine
- Gravit’eau systems in Nigeria and Burkina FasoGravit’eau systems: an overview Gravit’eau handwashing stations are one of the technologies that will be implemented as part of the hands4health project. These stations were developed by the Gravit’eau Association, FHNW, Tdh and… Read More »Gravit’eau systems in Nigeria and Burkina Faso
- Global Handwashing Day 2021Global Handwashing Day Global Handwashing Day is celebrated each year on October 15th. This global advocacy day raises awareness and understanding on the importance of handwashing with soap and water. It is a… Read More »Global Handwashing Day 2021
- WEDC 2021hands4health at the 42nd WEDC The 42nd WEDC International Conference was held online from 13-15 September, 2021, focusing on the theme of “Equitable and Sustainable WASH Services: Future challenges in a rapidly changing… Read More »WEDC 2021
Funding

The hands4health initiative is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), through a project and programme contribution of CHF 4’700’000. More information is available here.