Of the approximately 120 million children born in the developing world each year, half will live in households without access to improved sanitation. Poor hygiene and lack of access to sanitation together contribute to about 88% of deaths from diarrheal diseases.
The goal is to make handwashing with soap an automatic behavior. This one act can save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention, cutting deaths from diarrhea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by one-quarter.
The main objectives of this global celebration are:
• Foster and support a global and local culture of handwashing with soap.
• Shine a spotlight on the state of handwashing in each country.
• Raise awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap.
The Global Handwashing Day's theme video with
instructions for children on how to wash their hands properly.
instructions for children on how to wash their hands properly.
It’s In Your Hands