Clean Water and Proper Handwashing

An article by UNICEF

UNICEF works year-round to provide improved access to clean water and adequate sanitation. Lack of safe water and sanitation is the world's single largest cause of illness.

Over 884 million people, including 400 million children, still use unsafe drinking water sources and more than 2.5 billion people (50 per cent of the developing world's population) lack basic sanitation facilities.

Children are especially vulnerable to diseases caused by the lack of proper sanitation. Poor sanitation, hygiene and unsafe water claim the lives of an estimated 1.5 million children under the age of five every year.

Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation are also a major cause of illness, resulting in missed days at work and school, so national economies suffer and poor countries become even poorer.

Many children, especially girls, are denied their right to an education because they are busy fetching water or are deterred by the lack of separate, decent sanitation facilities in schools.

THE WIGGLES

 "UNICEF Australia works in over 150 developing countries to help children survive and thrive. UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, education for all boys and girls, and protects children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS" said General Manager of the Wiggles, Paul Field.

"We feel deeply honoured to work with UNICEF to help improve the lives of children around the world," said Murray Cook from The Wiggles.

UNICEF, supported by the Wiggles, is appealing to the Australian public to help provide safe water and sanitation to the world's most vulnerable children. Watch The Wiggles Handwashing Song HERE

This song is all about how to wash your hands and stay healthy. As Ambassadors for UNICEF Australia, The Wiggles want to help raise awareness that handwashing with soap is an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent illness and diseases, and save lives!⁠ For every child, clean hands and a healthy future! ⁠

For further information about UNICEF and how you can help please visit: https://www.unicef.org.au/about-us/media/october-2019/wash-your-hands-the-wiggles-and-unicef-australia