WASH in France

COVID19 has brought the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of disease to the attention of all of us like no other disease or campaign. Nevertheless, 3 billion people in the world, including hundreds of millions of children, do not have the opportunity to wash their hands regularly with soap. People living in low-income countries, especially in rural areas, slums or disaster-prone areas, are most at risk and most affected.

France is very aware of the global importance of WASH programs. For its own as well as international supply, France 2020 has adopted an international strategy for water supply and sanitation until 2030.

French policy on water and sanitation

France's new International Strategy for Water and Sanitation for the decade from 2020-2030 reaffirms its commitment to improving access to drinking water and sanitation as well as the management of water resources.

Agence Française de Développement

The French Development Agency AFD is the implementer of measures of the French government for worldwide development aid. Water programs account for about 10% of AFD's budget, with WASH providing 80% of the funding for AFD's water initiatives.

The French water management agencies

Six water authorities cooperate to protect the quality of France's water. To maintain France's water supply and resources, they collaborate with the government, industry, farmers, and civil society.