UNICEF has warned that children around the world are facing heightened risks of disease, malnutrition and violence following a sharp rise in attacks on water and sanitation systems.
The organisation said the targeting of these essential services is a growing problem in conflict zones, where the destruction of water infrastructure and the disruption of sanitation facilities can quickly turn a basic necessity into a public health crisis.
In a statement, UNICEF called on all parties to conflict, governments and humanitarian actors to recognise water and sanitation as life‑saving civilian infrastructure that must be protected and preserved.
Access to clean water and proper sanitation is critical for preventing disease and ensuring children’s well‑being, the agency added, stressing that the loss of these services can lead to widespread malnutrition and increased vulnerability to violence.
UNICEF’s appeal underscores the need for coordinated action to safeguard these vital systems and to prevent further harm to the most vulnerable populations.
<small>Source: Africanews — read the original story there.</small>
