H&M Foundation and the international organisation WaterAid are embarking on the second phase of their global partnership to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene in some of the world’s poorest communities - the foundation is donating a total of 60 million SEK over the course of the six year programme.

The overall aim of the programme - a continuation of the partnership started by the two organisations in 2014 – is to drive long-term transformational change and improved living conditions.

The second phase of the partnership is broadening the scope with a holistic approach to enable sustainable access to water and sanitation services to people in their communities, in their homes, at health care facilities and in schools by ensuring sustainable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

The entire focus of the programme is on sustainability, and this will be addressed in a variety of ways and by targeting the root causes of people’s poor access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

At the local level, the partnership will be working in four target countries; Cambodia, Ethiopia, Pakistan and Uganda. Although working towards the same outcomes in all four countries, given varying country contexts, this will be done through different approaches and activities.

By drawing on best practices, case studies and lessons learned from the work in these countries, WaterAid will seek to further the sustainability agenda globally through advocacy and influencing of key stakeholders on national and global levels for sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Diana Amini, Global Manager of the H&M Foundation, commented:

 ”Lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a huge global issue and a priority for the H&M Foundation. But it’s not something that any single organisation or company can solve – it requires global collaboration by governments, NGOs, civil societies and businesses. By partnering with WaterAid we have been able to make a real difference to individuals and communities, but also to contribute to the systemic change needed globally and nationally”.

 The H&M Foundation is a non-profit global foundation, privately funded by the Stefan Persson family, founders and main owners of H&M. Its mission is to drive long lasting positive change and improve living conditions by investing in people, communities and innovativion.

The Foundation donated 60 million Swedish Krona (£5m+) to WaterAid between 2014-2017, and is now embarking on the second phase, donating another 60 million SEK for the next-three year programme 2017-2020.

Commented on the partnership, Tim Wainwright, Chief Executive of WaterAid UK, said:

“Currently around 900 children under five die every day from diarrhoea caused by dirty water and poor sanitation.  This is something WaterAid is passionate to change.  With the funding from the H&M Foundation we will be able to transform the lives of some of the world’s poorest people with clean water and decent toilets – not just today but for many years to come.  The programme will draw upon WaterAid’s experience and knowledge to find the best approach in each community to contribute to the fulfilment of the Global Development Goals and WaterAid’s vision where everyone, everywhere, will have clean water, decent toilets and improved hygiene by 2030.”

WaterAid works in 37 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific Region.  

Around 315,000 children die each year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by dirty water and poor sanitation, while an estimated 663 million people (around one in ten) are without clean water. Nearly 2.4 billion people (around one in three) live without improved sanitation

For details on how individual countries are meeting their commitments on water and sanitation, visit Wateraid’s online database at www.WASHWatch.org