<p>Millions of people around the world lack safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). This puts them at-risk from many diseases, including 16 of the 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). NTDs affect more than 1 billion people in 149 countries. Beyond prevention, WASH services are also critical to care for the people who have many of these diseases.</p>

<p>In August 2015, WHO published “<em>Water, sanitation and hygiene for accelerating and sustaining progress on neglected tropical diseases: A Global Strategy 2015-2020</em>". The Strategy aims to increase access to WASH, and to support efforts to combat NTDs.</p>

<p>This fact file (August 2015) looks at the importance of WASH for preventing and caring for neglected tropical diseases.</p>