Governments and health authorities have constantly been urging the public to practice social distancing among many other COVID-19 preventive measures suggested. Moreover, they have also released hygiene tips to show people how to protect themselves from the coronavirus. For example, back in March 2020, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health released an animated video with a catchy local song with lyrics telling its citizens to “push back the virus Corona, Corona.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed increased the need for clean water to prevent infection. But what about those with limited or no access to clean water and sanitation supplies?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), access to safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions are essential in protecting one’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, it was reported that 40 percent of the world’s population live in regions where water is becoming increasingly scarce. Moreover, an estimated 1,000 children succumb to preventable water-and-sanitation-related diseases each day. 

The problems of water shortage and sanitation scarcity have been around for decades due to bad economics and poor infrastructure. The issue has negatively affected the livelihoods of billions of people, food security and educational opportunities for impoverished families around the world.

According to the United Nations (UN), “… by 2050, at least one in four people are likely to live in a country affected by chronic or recurring shortages of fresh water.”

Experts and organisations are calling on governments to provide water free of cost for the duration of the crisis to those in poverty and affected by the related economic hardships.

“People living in informal settlements, those who are homeless, rural populations, women, children, older persons, people with disabilities, migrants, refugees and all other groups vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic need to have continuous access to sufficient and affordable water,” said independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council.

Water Shortage

According to the World Water Development Report 2015 published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), progress has been made towards universal access to water in the Asia Pacific region. Especially in efforts to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal six: Clean water and sanitisation) by 2030. 

Nevertheless, many are still living without adequate water supply in the region. It was reported that more than 100 million people live without access to safe water in Southeast Asia.