Investments in climate-resilient water safety planning have never been more important.
The extreme weather events associated with climate change are major drivers of waterborne diarrhoeal diseases including cholera. Tropical cyclones, with intense rainfall and storm surges, flooding events, and prolonged droughts create the conditions in which bacteria, parasites and other pathogens can thrive. In areas with poor water and sanitation infrastructure, adults and children, especially, are vulnerable to health risks that may have devastating lifelong effects.
WHO’s 2017 guidance, Climate-resilient water safety plans: managing health risks associated with climate variability and change, builds on existing water safety planning resources by adding specific recommendations on how to manage water-related health risks in the context of climate variability and change.
The document provides a series of modules for understanding climate impacts on the water cycle and assessing risk. It also recommends approaches to integrating climate vulnerability assessments, disaster risk reduction and integrated water resources management within the water safety planning process. Examples of climate resilient water safety planning from countries including Nepal and Bangladesh offer practical insights on the development of these plans.
The guidance may serve as a guide for bringing together stakeholders from government, the health sector and the community to develop a holistic approach to managing water resources. Advocacy and collaboration can be catalysts in ensuring resilient water supplies for generations to come.