Webinar Announcement: Utilities’ Support to Inclusive WASH Access in Informal Settlements and Vulnerable Communities

DATE: Tuesday, May 19
TIME: 13.30-15.30 CEST

While regular, vigorous handwashing is one of the most effective ways of preventing transmission of the COVID-19 virus, for 1 in 3 people worldwide, it is impossible because they lack a reliable safe water supply. During these exceptional times, governments and water sector actors around the world are mounting efforts to ensure water and soap are in everyone’s hands, in a bout to hamper the spread of the virus. Some of the most urgent efforts are in slums where densities and poor hygiene conditions make communities more vulnerable.

Water utilities are playing a central role in many of these efforts, such as extending distribution networks, communicating about good hygiene, and providing mobile service stations, among others. What new technology, partnerships and other innovations are being brought to life through these concerted efforts? What challenges do they imply? And as utility revenues drop, who is paying for them? Finally, can the fight against COVID help overcome other water-related diseases that cause almost half a million deaths a day?

This webinar will bring together water utilities from around the world to discuss utilities’ efforts, the challenges they are facing and outlooks for the future. This session will have a keynote by Léo Heller, Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation, and will also feature Kelly Ann Naylor, Associate Director of UNICEF’s WASH programme.

This webinar is part of a series being organized by GWOPA and partners to facilitate exchange and learning between water and sanitation operators around the COVID-19 Pandemic. The webinars are to:

• Share solutions and exchange knowledge about effective COVID-19 Pandemic responses with operators at different stages of the pandemic
• Raise and discuss emerging issues facing operators as the coronavirus pandemic evolves, to inform advocacy, partnerships and learning activities
• Catalyze further knowledge sharing and partnership between GWOPA partners and community members regarding the Pandemic and beyond

The webinars build on the #UtilitesFightCovid Campaign.

Register here.