{"id":46674,"date":"2020-07-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.siemens-stiftung.org\/foundation\/development-cooperation\/technology-for-developing-regions\/water\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T10:12:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T08:12:53","slug":"water-and-hygiene","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.siemens-stiftung.org\/en\/foundation\/social-entrepreneurship\/water-and-hygiene\/","title":{"rendered":"Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Water & Hygiene
Access to safe drinking water and hygiene services
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Safe access to water and sanitation for all – this is the goal defined by the United Nations in its Sustainable Development Goals. Together with social enterprises, local authorities, partners from science and international cooperation, we are committed to pursuing this vision. In East Africa, we are strengthening the development of sustainable structures that ensure access to clean drinking water and hygiene services in underserved communities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Motivation<\/span>Water is a prerequisite for health, productivity and economic development<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Water is not only a human right, but also represents the foundation for the sustainable development of societies. Access to water and sanitation impacts on food and energy supplies, health, the economy and the environment (Unesco 2015<\/a>).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid and cholera can be prevented by a secure supply of water and sound hygiene. According to the WHO (2023), this could save around 1.4 million lives every year. Added to this, less absenteeism from work, school and training, which improves the career prospects of young people in particular. A functioning water infrastructure eliminates long and risky routes. When heavy water canisters no longer have to be transported over long distances, there are fewer musculoskeletal disorders, while individual and collective health and productivity improve. And when less time and energy has to be spent on basic needs, there is scope for social participation and co-determination.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t