The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a recognised leader in water, sanitation and hygiene promotion. We are active in both disaster response (meeting acute needs) and in longer term development (meeting longer term needs).

Hygiene promotion is a fundamental part of water and sanitation activities. It increases public health awareness and prevents diseases related to poor hygiene practices.

• WHO data shows that 1.7 million deaths and 54.2 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide are attributable to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. One DALY represents the loss of one year of equivalent full health.
• Interventions to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene practices have been shown to reduce sickness from diarrhoea by between a quarter and a third (Esrey et al, 1991; Fewtrell et al, 2005).
• There is a very strong gender aspect in school attendance related to hygiene. Girls who are unable to access clean safe water, separate toilets and handwashing facilities are much more likely to drop out of school.

The International Federation follows the Hygiene Improvement Framework developed by Environmental Health Project.

The International Federation works through its National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to empower communities. This approach includes:

• Assuring that structures exist or are provided that enable communities to access water and sanitation.
• Assuring that hygiene promotion is a part of all water and sanitation activities.

In parallel the International Federation works with National Societies to put hygiene promotion on the political agenda and to assist them with related programmes.

In response to disasters, the International Federation deploys Emergency Response Units/Kits and tools.

At the same time the International Federation provides longer-term sustainable solutions to those without access to safe water and sanitation. Through the Global Water and Sanitation Initiative (GWSI) 2005-2015 the International Federation seeks to contribute further to the Millenium Development Goals.

Key elements of the GWSI include:

• Targeting vulnerable communities with significantly low water and sanitation coverage
• Appropriate and affordable technology options
• Long term funding packages with low cost per beneficiary
• Software component (community management system and behavioural change) as key element for ensuring sustainability
• More measurable impact
• Increase gender awareness
• Being in line with the government national watsan planning
• Ensuring that the technical options are environmentally sound

Long-term solution

The use of the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) methodology supports the success and sustainability of our projects by increasing hygiene awareness within communities. Communities supported through this process are able to examine existing hygiene behaviour and understand how transmission of disease takes place and how they can be prevented at a household level.

For further information do not hesitate to getting in touch with us at: secretariat@ifrc.org