Only 45% of Namibian households have access to soap and water: UNICEF

UNICEF has warned about the state of hand hygiene in Namibia, revealing that less than half of households have access to basic handwashing facilities with soap — a shortfall that continues to claim hundreds of young lives each year.Speaking at a ceremony marking Global Handwashing Day in Windhoek, UNICEF Representative Samuel Kweku Ocran described the situation as “a call to action” and urged all sectors of society to take urgent steps to improve hygiene infrastructure and education.“In our country, only 45% of households have access to handwashing facilities and soap,” Ocran said. “As a result, every year, Namibia faces more than 184 000 cases of diarrhoeal disease, and tragically, we lose 719 children under the age of five to these preventable illnesses.”He stressed that poor hygiene carries consequences beyond health, taking what he called a “heavy toll” on the economy. “Each year, Namibia loses over N$3.8 billion due to insufficient WASH services,” he said, referring to water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. “This is a loss we simply cannot afford, especially when the solutions are within reach.”Ocran also pointed to serious gaps in Namibia’s schools. “Ten percent of schools, that’s 224 in total, still lack access to proper sanitation facilities,” he revealed. “And five percent, or 101 schools, have no supply of drinking water. These conditions not only put our children’s health at risk but also hinder their ability to learn and thrive.”Handwashing heroesThis year’s Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on 15 October, carried the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero.” The campaign encourages individuals, communities, and leaders to take personal responsibility in promoting good hygiene practices.“This theme invites all of us, friends, neighbours, community leaders, and public officials, to step up and take leadership in promoting handwashing,” Ocran said. “It’s a call for collective action, showing that together, we can ensure everyone experiences the benefits of clean hands.”He reminded attendees that globally, about 2.3 billion people — almost three in ten — still lack access to soap and water at home, while 462 million schoolchildren attend institutions without basic hygiene facilities. “Clean hands are one of our strongest defences against infections and illnesses,” he said. “We cannot allow these preventable tragedies to continue.”Ocran reaffirmed UNICEF’s partnership with local authorities to expand access to WASH services. “Our continued partnership with the City of Windhoek, Oniipa, and Rundu Town Councils to roll out sanitation marketing initiatives will make low-cost and climate-resilient WASH facilities available to communities,” he explained. “We’re also promoting hygiene education and supporting innovative solutions that make handwashing possible for all.”Clean handsWindhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja underlined the city’s decade-long commitment to health and hygiene promotion.“This October, the Municipal Council of Windhoek, in collaboration with our stakeholders, proudly commemorates Health and Hygiene Promotion Month,” said Larandja. “We join a global movement to promote the power of clean hands.”She said the “Be a Handwashing Hero” theme empowers citizens to take personal responsibility for their health and that of their communities. “Everyone, from young children to senior citizens, can be a handwashing hero,” the mayor said. “It has been proven that clean hands remain a vital defence against infections and harmful germs.”Larandja also outlined several city-led interventions — from hygiene promotion in informal markets and schools to inspections of food vendors and public facilities — aimed at improving compliance with health standards.“Recurring outbreaks of diseases like diarrhoea, the recent experiences with COVID-19, and ongoing threats such as Hepatitis E underscore the critical necessity of diligent hygiene practices,” she noted.

Only 45% of Namibian households have access to soap and water: UNICEF

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-12

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Only 45% of Namibian households have access to soap and water: UNICEF

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-12

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