News

WHO/Europe launches new guidance to make hand washing easier 05-05-2021

On World Hand Hygiene Day 2021, WHO/Europe calls on decision-makers, hospital managers and health-care workers to enable and adopt effective hand hygiene at the point of care. Across the WHO European Region, on any given day, about 80 000 – or approximately 1 in 18 – patients have at least 1 health-care-associated infection in a hospital.

WHO/Europe looks ahead to a busy 2021 08-02-2021

Following an unprecedented year for WHO in 2020, WHO/Europe looks ahead to 2021 with a focus on the continuing COVID-19 pandemic alongside the implementation of the European Programme of Work.

Serbia first country in Region to complete situational analysis of WASH in health care facilities 30-09-2020

A prerequisite for high-quality health care is the provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and adequate waste management in all health care facilities. This prevents infections and thus protects both patients and health care workers, as well as safeguarding maternal and newborn health. Towards this goal of achieving and maintaining high-quality health care, Serbia is the first country in the WHO European Region to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the national status of WASH in health care facilities, using indicators recommended by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). In doing so, Serbia also becomes one of the first countries to make a concrete response to the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on WASH in health care facilities, adopted in 2019 at its 72nd session.

Promoting tap-water consumption in Trentino: which policies work best? 26-03-2020

The Expert meeting on improving tap water consumption for decreasing the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and reducing the environmental footprint, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in Moscow, Russian Federation, on 27–28 February 2020, provided the Autonomous Province of Trento (Trentino), Italy, with a unique opportunity to illustrate its policies on promoting the consumption of tap water. On the same occasion, Trentino, a member of the WHO Regions for Health Network (RHN), presented the latest results of the Italian national behavioural risk factor surveillance system (PASSI).

World Water Day 2020 highlights the essential role of handwashing 20-03-2020

Good hand hygiene protects you and those around you. One of the most important contributions we can make to slowing down transmission of COVID-19 and keeping ourselves and our communities safe is to wash our hands. This is the main message of World Water Day 2020 on 22 March, and everyone has a role to play.

Increased drinking-water consumption brings gains for health and the environment 19-03-2020

Essential, vital, crucial, fundamental – all of these words describe the role of water in our lives. Access to safe, sufficient, affordable and acceptable drinking water is not only critical to human health and well-being, but it is a basic human right.

Achieving sustainable and healthy environments for all: celebrating 30 years of the European Environment and Health Process 11-12-2019

At the First Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Frankfurt, Germany, held 7–8 December 1989, Member States of the WHO European Region initiated the first ever process to eliminate the most significant environmental threats to human health. That same European Environment and Health Process (EHP) is now marking 30 years since its establishment, with a birthday celebration during the ninth meeting of the European Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) on 9–10 December 2019 in Bonn, Germany.

World Toilet Day highlights the continuing struggle for safe water and sanitation across the pan-European region 19-11-2019

Over 31 million people in the pan-European region lack access to basic sanitation services and 314 000 people still practice open defecation. The impact is clear, as every day, 14 people die of diarrhoea in the region because of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). In addition, there are significant inequalities in access to basic sanitation services between rural and urban areas, and between rich and poor communities – affecting households, schools and hospitals. The release of untreated wastewater to the environment also constitutes a significant problem in the region.

New country profiles show changes in environmental health inequalities 21-10-2019

New country profiles released by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health show how countries across the WHO European Region have achieved reductions in some areas of environmental health inequalities. However, work remains to be done in other areas.

Ensuring safe drinking-water – highlighting water safety plans in Tajikistan on World Water Day 21-03-2019

While some people in the WHO European Region take clean drinking-water for granted, many communities throughout the Region – and the world – still suffer from water-related issues. World Water Day is a day for action to encourage engagement and share knowledge on safe and sustainable management of water.

Tackling the taboo of menstrual hygiene in the European Region 08-11-2018

Globally, 52% of women and girls are of reproductive age – around 1.9 billion people. Yet, a massive taboo and stigma still surrounds the topic of menstruation, and it is often difficult for girls and women in many countries and regions to practice optimal menstrual hygiene. WHO/Europe has been working with Member States to better understand the magnitude of the problem and to support the development of policies to tackle the inequality surrounding menstrual hygiene management (MHM).

Climate change increasingly affects small countries 25-06-2018

Climate change challenges many countries in the world and is increasingly affecting small countries.  Ministers and other high-level public health officials from the 8 countries that make up the Small Countries Initiative will gather in Reykjavik on 26–27 June to find solutions that can protect their people’s health from this and other threats. Enhanced efforts will contribute to reaching the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is the 5th annual meeting of the Initiative since it was launched in 2013.

Commemorating the impact of Semmelweis’ work on global health 19-06-2018

The year 2018 has been designated the Ignác Semmelweis Memorial Year in Hungary. It marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the man credited with saving more lives than any other physician in history. Semmelweis’s discoveries and achievements, including the introduction of effective handwashing protocols for medical procedures, brought about a new paradigm in infection control. His work on germ theory is just as relevant today as it was in the 1840s.

Protect our environment, protect our health: World Environment Day 2018 05-06-2018

Today is World Environment Day. Each year, at least 1.4 million Europeans die prematurely due to polluted environments, accounting for at least 15% of Europe’s total deaths. Altogether, European citizens lose 50 million years of healthy life annually as a result of environmental risks.

Russian Federation holds first International World Water Day Congress 30-04-2018

The Russian Federation marked World Water Day on 22 March 2018 by hosting its first International “World Water Day” Congress to highlight the importance of water in public health and trigger global action on critical water-related issues.

Environment and Health Task Force meeting kicks off national planning in 7 key areas 22-03-2018

Last year, countries in the WHO European Region adopted the Ostrava Declaration, which commits them to make visible, measurable and equitable progress on environment and health in 7 priority areas. In order to do this, Member States agreed to develop national portfolios of actions on environment and health by the end of 2018, coordinated by country-nominated focal points.

Safe drinking-water in Europe? 20-03-2018

Millions of people in the WHO European Region drink contaminated water, often without knowing it. WHO estimates that, every day, 14 people die of diarrhoeal disease due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

New agreement between UN Environment and WHO to further strengthen collaboration in the Region 19-01-2018

On 10 January 2018, the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and WHO agreed upon a new global collaboration framework to tackle environment and health risks. For the WHO European Region, this agreement builds upon long-standing and strong regional collaboration through the European Environment and Health Process, in which UN Environment is a key stakeholder.

Group of experts revise WHO guidelines on small drinking-water supplies 14-12-2017

On 27 November–1 December 2017, the Republic of Moldova hosted a WHO working group meeting that brought together international experts and researchers from 8 countries to revise the WHO guidelines for small drinking-water supplies. Small drinking-water supplies are typically water supplies that serve areas beyond the reach of municipal services.

Working together towards better WASH services in health-care facilities 06-10-2017

A meeting to promote progressive implementation of global and regional commitments and the prioritization of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health-care facilities in national policy agendas, took place in Bonn, Germany, on 27–28 September 2017. The meeting was attended by 44 delegates from 21 Member States, WHO experts from several offices, as well as academia, nongovernmental and donor organizations covering a broad range of expertise.

Day 3 of Environment and Health Conference: Commitments to advance the agenda in Europe 16-06-2017

After 3 days of discussions and deliberations, the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health drew to a close. The participants took stock of the progress made on environment and health in the WHO European Region, as well as committing the Region to further action, culminating in the signing of the Ostrava Declaration.

Day 2 of Environment and Health Conference: Addressing inequalities, good governance, rights and resilience 15-06-2017

On the second day of the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, participants explored the role of communities and national and regional authorities in strengthening resilience. Discussions focused on the global relevance of environment and health policy in Europe and how to stimulate changing patterns of consumption towards sustainable development.

Day 1 of Environment and Health Conference: Taking stock of the past to transform the future 14-06-2017

Opening the Sixth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health, Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, drew parallels between the host city’s industrial past and modern regeneration, and the “transformative spirit of the Agenda for Sustainable Development”. Health and environment experts are gathered in Ostrava, Czech Republic to track progress and prioritize future action on environmental risks to health.

United Nations agencies urge Europe’s action on 1.4 million annual deaths from polluted environments 13-06-2017

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) call on European leaders to scale up action to prevent environment-related deaths and diseases affecting their populations. Each year, at least 1.4 million Europeans die prematurely due to polluted environments; this corresponds to at least 15% of Europe’s total deaths. Around half of these deaths are due to outdoor and indoor air pollution. Altogether, European citizens lose annually 50 million years of healthy life from environmental risks.

World Environment Day: health is intrinsically linked to the environment 05-06-2017

Globally, an estimated 24% of the burden of disease and 23% of all deaths can be attributed to environmental factors. These include air and water pollution, hazardous chemicals, waste and climate change. On the contrary, interventions to protect and preserve the environment can directly improve health.

World Water Day: good health and managing wastewater go hand-in-hand 22-03-2017

14 people die every day from diarrhoeal diseases in the WHO European Region, and these deaths are attributed to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene. Access to safely managed water and sanitation services is crucial to achieving and maintaining good health and well-being, the aim of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

WHO/Europe and UNECE call for renewed action on water, sanitation and health in the pan-European region 14-11-2016

In the pan-European region, diarrhoeal diseases still cause 14 deaths per day due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene. Renewed momentum is therefore needed to address these persistent challenges. An ambitious programme of work aimed at addressing them is to be adopted this week at the fourth session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health, taking place on 14–16 November in Geneva. This meeting will feature a special high-level session to reflect on the role of the Protocol as a tool to promote and facilitate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

First national training workshop on water-related diseases in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 21-03-2016

In cooperation with the national institute for public health, WHO/Europe held the workshop on 9–10 March 2016, to strengthen the country's surveillance of water-related diseases and improve national professionals' knowledge of and skills in effective surveillance approaches and in the detection, epidemiological investigation and control of waterborne outbreaks.

Youth-friendly brochure HYGIENE MUCH launched 13-10-2015

Recognizing that young people are at the core of action on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), the European Environment and Health Youth Coalition, with support from WHO/Europe, launched in September 2015 a new brochure HYGIENE MUCH to support safe WASH in schools.

Just published: Socioeconomic, demographic, spatial and ethnic inequalities in environmental exposure in the municipalities of Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje and Obiliq/Obilić 17-08-2015

An exploration of social and environmental vulnerability based on field survey data

The battle for safe water and sanitation is not over in Europe: experts meet for WaSH in schools 27-04-2015

Inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) conditions in schools, which are still of concern across the Region,  are detrimental to a healthy learning environment. To tackle this issue, the 1st Expert group meeting on WaSH in schools was held on 16-17 April 2015 in Budapest.

Poor indoor environments at school 23-04-2015

Many children are exposed to poor indoor environments in schools, with issues including stuffy air, dampness and mould, uncomfortable temperatures and poorly functioning toilets. A new WHO report on environment and health conditions in European schools and kindergartens will contribute to discussions at the mid-term review of the European Environment and Health Process in Haifa, Israel, on 28–30 April 2015.

Water and sanitation: still a luxury for millions of Europeans 14-04-2015

100 million people in the WHO European Region still do not have a household connection to drinking-water. A new WHO report, entitled "Water and sanitation in the WHO European Region: 2014 highlights", provides evidence for the WHO mid-term review of the European Environment and Health Process in Haifa, Israel, on 28–30 April 2015.

European countries to meet in April to review progress on environment and health 05-03-2015

On 28–30 April 2015 in Haifa, Israel, countries in the WHO European Region will evaluate the status of environment and health in the WHO European Region at the mid-term review of the European environment and health process. 

Azerbaijan improves water quality monitoring and reporting 21-01-2015

To improve technical capacity for monitoring of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), a training workshop on global monitoring programmes for drinking water and sanitation was jointly organized by WHO and the Ministry of Health on 18-19 December 2014 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Legionnaires' disease outbreak in Portugal 17-11-2014

As of 13 November 2014 (17:00), the Directorate-General for Health of Portugal has reported a total of 311 cases of Legionnaires' disease, all of which have epidemiological links to Vila Franca de Xira, a suburban area of Lisbon. So far, seven deaths have been confirmed to be caused by the disease.

Water safety plans in eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia 03-11-2014

This publication provides a summary of the key outcomes of a workshop that the WHO Regional Office for Europe held on building capacities for the development of water safety plans (WSPs) on 24 and 25 June 2014 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The document covers background information on WSPs, highlights its key benefits, reviews countries’ experiences of WSPs in the WHO European Region and addresses the needs for creating an enabling environment for WSP uptake.

Welcome to the newsletter of the European Environment and Health Process (EHP) 27-10-2014

The introduction of a European Environment and Health Process Newsletter will keep stakeholders up-to-date on the EHP’s continually-expanding body of work. Particularly during preparations for mid-term review of the Parma Commitments in March 2015, the need became evident for a means of sharing news and information on activities.

Aligning the agendas of Sustainable Development Goals and the European Environment and Health Process 09-10-2014

30 September 2014 (Bonn, Germany)

Promotion of the water safety plan approach to ensuring safe drinking-water in Tajikistan 01-10-2014

A workshop to raise awareness of the value of the water safety plan (WSP) approach among national stakeholders in the health, environment and water sectors as well as international and nongovernmental organizations was organized in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on 13 August 2014.

Improving small water-supply systems in eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia 09-07-2014

Small water-supply systems face a range of managerial, financial and institutional challenges. They are more at risk of breakdown and poor service, which can cause the contamination of drinking-water and endanger people’s health. The WHO water safety plan (WSP) approach recommends managing these risks proactively to protect health. These were the central themes of discussions at back-to-back events held on 24–27 June 2014 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: a WSP workshop and a meeting of the international network for the management of small communities’ water-supply systems. Participants from the health and water sectors in 12 countries in eastern Europe, the Caucasus and central Asia attended.

Balkans floods: clean-up underway 18-06-2014

Following the severe flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia in May, the weather has improved and water levels have fallen. The removal of debris and the cleaning and disinfection of soil, roads and buildings are underway in all three affected countries. Municipalities are still trying to re-establish services (including those providing electricity, water and transportation) in large parts of the affected areas. 

Balkans floods: emergency supplies arrive 05-06-2014

Following the severe flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia in May, water levels have been falling in most areas, but stagnating in some. The transition from the response phase to the recovery phase is underway: families are returning to their homes to begin to clean and repair them.

Tajikistan celebrates World Water Day 01-06-2014

The WHO Country Office in Tajikistan joined Oxfam and the Department of Education of the Rudaki District of Tajikistan to organize a series of information and education activities in line with this year’s theme "Water and Energy".

WHO/Europe responds to Balkan floods 27-05-2014

Since 13 May 2014, communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia have been severely affected by floods.

Public health advice on flooding 16-05-2014

Heavy rains have caused severe flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. WHO/Europe has information on how flooding affects health, guidance on water supply and sanitation, and advice on preventive measures.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and WHO/Europe launch first analytical tool to measure disparities in access to water and sanitation 25-11-2013

In the WHO European Region, access to water and sanitation varies widely between countries, provinces and even people in the same communities, regardless of countries’ level of development. A major difficulty in addressing these inequities is the lack of both a detailed picture of the level of access for all population groups and a clear understanding of the main factors in the origin of the inequities. This is especially relevant at times of financial crisis.

National assessment of sanitation and drinking water in Georgia contributes to global initiative 07-11-2013

Visualizing the economic and health benefits of environmental measures: a winning combination 23-10-2013

“Visualizing” both the health and economic gains can help persuade policy-makers to improve environmental health and obtain government support, according to participants at the Second Symposium on Environmental Health and Economics, held on 14–15 October 2013 in Bonn, Germany.

Following up on cholera prevention in Tajikistan 15-10-2013

A team of epidemiologists from WHO and the Tajikistan State Sanitary Epidemiological Surveillance Service visited the three districts of Tajikistan that border Afghanistan in September 2013, following the reported outbreak of nearly 2000 cholera cases in Badakhshan province in Afghanistan. The team met with stakeholders to discuss prevention, early detection and case management of the disease.

Floods in Europe – what people can do to protect themselves 14-06-2013

The floods in central and western Europe since early June are the worst for over a decade. WHO/Europe has published advice for those affected during and after flooding, including preventive measures to limit the future impact on health.

European ministers call for urgent action on environmental threats 24-04-2013

Urgent action is needed in Europe to tackle environmental health hazards: air pollution, asbestos, mercury, unsafe water and poor sanitation. This is the main conclusion of the fourth meeting of the European Environment and Health Ministerial Board, on 19 April 2013 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Applications welcome for observership at WHO/Europe 18-04-2013

The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) is sponsoring a three-day observership for five people in WHO/Europe’s Division of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment.

WHO and UNICEF launch new plan to cut deaths from diarrhoea and pneumonia 12-04-2013

A new global action plan, launched today by WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has the potential to save up to 2 million children every year from death caused by pneumonia and diarrhoea, some of the leading killers of children under 5 globally.

WHO/Europe in Copenhagen moving to new premises 05-04-2013

WHO/Europe’s head office, based in Copenhagen, Denmark, is moving to new premises during 22 March to 1 April 2013. All United Nations organizations in the Danish capital will come together in new premises known as UN City.

Regional Director attends Environment and Health Ministerial Board (EHMB) meeting in Azerbaijan 21-11-2012

At its third meeting, EHMB agreed that an environment and health gateway, an on-line knowledge repository and information portal, will be developed. The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Azerbaijan, concluded on 16 November 2012.

Water safety project: success stories in Tajikistan 08-10-2012

Achieving a sustainable and safe water supply has been an ongoing challenge in Tajikistan. To help respond to this problem, WHO launched a special water safety project in 2011. Two pilot sites located in Panjakent and Hamadoni districts of Tajikistan are showing positive results through active community engagement. 

Safe water in Tajikistan 22-08-2012

Despite recent investment in water and sanitation, many communities in Tajikistan still lack access to safe drinking-water. A mission to the districts of Panjakent and Hamadoni recently reviewed a water-safety project, and gave lectures to increase residents’ knowledge of waterborne diseases, hygiene, sanitation and health.

WHO provides assistance for reconstruction of water supply system to district hospital in Tajikistan 17-07-2012

As part of a wider project to protect health from climate change, the WHO Country Office in Tajikistan is supporting efforts to ensure safe water supplies to hospitals.  Among the WHO-supported activities is reconstruction of the water supply system at Rudaki Central District Hospital.

Third meeting of the Assembly of Contributors to the Water Fund EBRD, London, 12 June 2012 14-06-2012

The Water Fund was created at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in the framework of the Protocol on Water and Health. Contributors to the Fund met on 12 June 2012 to review the working of the programme and explore new possibilities.

New report gives preliminary dose estimation from Fukushima nuclear accident 23-05-2012

The report describes a preliminary estimate of radiation doses to the public resulting from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear site in Japan in March 2011.

Schoolchildren in Tajikistan learn about safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation on World Water Day 04-04-2012

To mark World Water Day, the WHO Country Office and Oxfam collaborated with the Department of Education of Rudaki District to organize a series of information and education activities, including a class and drawing contest for schoolchildren centred on the theme of water and food security.

New water safety plan in Tajikistan to reduce water-transmitted diseases in rural areas 27-03-2012

During a seminar  on 9 March 2012, and as part of a broader project to protect health from climate change, experts from the WHO Country Office in Tajikistan and the Ministry of Health introduced a water safety plan to protect small-scale water supply systems and improve the quality of drinking water and sanitation. 

WHO launches expanded European Centre for Environment and Health in Bonn, Germany: new report on environmental health inequalities published 14-02-2012

One citizen out of five dies from environment-associated diseases in the WHO European Region. The environmental burden of ill health varies significantly across the Region, however, ranging from 14% to 54%. Within countries, the poor can be exposed to environmental risks five times more often than their wealthier peers, a new WHO report concludes.

Improving access to safe drinking-water in rural Tajikistan 09-02-2012

WHO/Europe has provided expert advice and construction materials to rural communities in the Hamadoni and Panjakent districts of Tajikistan, to improve the population’s access to systems supplying safe drinking-water. This work is part of a pilot project under way in two regions.

WHO Rome office closes at the end of 2011 20-12-2011

The Rome office of the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health is due to close at the end of December 2011. WHO’s work on environment and health in Europe remains a priority and is being consolidated in Bonn, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark. This will allow the WHO Regional Office for Europe to maintain and strengthen its technical capacities in this area for the benefit of the 53 Member States of the European Region.

Joint action on environmental health threats discussed 02-11-2011

Meeting for the first time in Bled, Slovenia, on 26–28 October 2011, the European Environment and Health Task Force discussed proposed areas of joint action to implement the commitments agreed by European countries in the Parma Declaration on Environment and Health.

WHO/Europe highlights the health dimension at the ‘Environment for Europe’ Conference 21-09-2011

With side events and exhibitions, WHO will keep the spotlight on health at the forthcoming Seventh "Environment for Europe" Ministerial Conference, organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Astana, Kazakhstan, on 21-23 September 2011. The Conference main themes are sustainable management of water and water-related ecosystems, and greening the economy: mainstreaming the environment into economic development. Both themes belong to long-standing areas of collaboration between WHO/Europe and UNECE, as part of the European Environment and Health Process and of the implementation of the Parma Ministerial Declaration on environment and health.

Revised drinking-water guidelines issued 14-07-2011

WHO has issued revised guidelines for drinking-water quality, to prevent waterborne disease. Over 330 000 cases of water-related disease are reported on average every year in the WHO European Region.

New evidence from WHO: inadequate housing causes more than 100 000 annual deaths in Europe 23-06-2011

Inadequate housing accounts for over 100 000 deaths per year in the WHO European Region and causes or contributes to many preventable diseases and injuries, including respiratory, nervous system and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. This is the main conclusion of a report, "Environmental burden of disease associated with inadequate housing", released today by WHO/Europe.

Ukraine reports 14 cholera cases 06-06-2011

Ukraine has reported to WHO 14 laboratory confirmed cases of cholera between 30 May and 6 June 2011 from Mariupol on the Sea of Azov in Donetsk oblast. A local laboratory in Donetsk has confirmed Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa as the causative agent in all cases.

Third issue of WHY newsletter highlights water and sanitation as crucial for life 30-05-2011

Ministers push environment and health commitments forward 05-05-2011

Environment and health ministers, meeting in Paris this week, have agreed on how to monitor progress in reducing the adverse health impact of environmental threats across the European Region. The first meeting of the European Ministerial Board on Environment and Health took place on 4-5 May 2011.

National Water Safety workshop in Turkmenistan 11-04-2011

Eastern European countries to discuss common challenges and solutions for water and health issues 01-04-2011

Representatives of Belarus, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine will meet at a workshop in Minsk, Belarus, on 5-6 April 2011 to share experiences and discuss challenges related to the implementation of the Protocol on Water and Health.

Urban water management in focus on World Water Day 22-03-2011

Under the theme “Water for cities”, World Water Day 2011 focuses on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water and sanitation systems.

Project to prevent water-related diseases in Georgia takes off 18-02-2011

Thanks to the project facilitation mechanism (PFM) created under the Protocol on Water and Health, a project proposed by Georgia to increase access to safe water has started, with technical and financial support from Germany. Through the PFM, WHO/Europe provides technical assistance and coordinates project activities with both countries.

European countries set targets for giving everyone access to safe and affordable water and sanitation 23-11-2010

Reducing economic barriers to access to safe drinking-water is one of the key objectives of the Second Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Water and Health, which starts today in Bucharest, Romania. 

WHO/Europe concludes mission on health impact of sludge spill in Hungary 20-10-2010

A four-day WHO expert field mission to Hungary has developed a set of recommendations to minimize the short- and long-term health impact of the sludge spill at an alumina plant in Hungary on 4 October 2010.

WHO/Europe to assess health impact of sludge spill in Hungary 12-10-2010

A team of WHO experts is travelling to Hungary today to provide additional expertise to the Government-led assessment of the potential short- and long-term health effects of a sludge spill that affected the country’s western territories on 4 October 2010.

Progress towards MDG 7 on ensuring environmental responsibility faces challenges in the WHO European Region 21-09-2010

The report Millennium Development Goals in the WHO European Region. A situational analysis at the eve of the five-year countdown points to the need to strengthen health systems to reach the MDGs. Special attention is given to inequities and to synergies between the MDGs. MDG 7, aiming to ensure environmental responsibility, has a fundamental role in safeguarding human health and survival.

United Nations declare access to clean water and sanitation a human right, Water Protocol is a key tool to implement it 20-09-2010

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing access to clean water and sanitation a human right. The Assembly urged its Member States as well as international organizations to offer funding, resources and technology to assist poorer countries provide accessible and affordable clean drinking water and sanitation for everyone. This objective is closely linked to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. WHO/Europe supports the attainment of the human right to water, sanitation through its work within the WHO/UNECE Protocol on Water and Health. The Protocol, the first major international legal mechanism for the prevention, control and reduction of water-related diseases, is a key tool to deliver access to clean water and sanitation to all.

Third meeting of the Working Group on Water and Health 15-05-2010

The next meeting of the Working Group is scheduled for 27–28 May 2010. Its main objective is to prepare the second session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (Bucharest, Romania, 23–25 November 2010).

Third meeting of the Protocol ad hoc project facilitation mechanism (AHPFM) 06-05-2010

The next meeting, scheduled for 26 May 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland, will review progress achieved since the first meeting (projects in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) and discuss new project proposals (status of progress in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan).