Global Hand Wasing Day

Why Focus on Children?
Of the approximately 120 million children born in the developing world each year, half will live in households without access to improved sanitation, at grave risk to their survival and development. Poor hygiene and lack of access to sanitation together contribute to about 88% of deaths from diarrhea diseases, accounting for 1.5 million diarrhea-related under-five deaths each year. Children suffer disproportionately from diarrhea and respiratory diseases and deaths. But research shows that children – the segment of society so often the most energetic, enthusiastic, and open to new ideas – can also be powerful agents of behavioral change.