The U.S. Government Global Water Strategy identifies poor hygiene and the lack of adequate water and sanitation as a leading cause of disease and death worldwide and a contributor to the spread of many neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The World Health Organization (WHO) WASH and NTD global strategy (2015–2020) emphasizes the urgent need to focus efforts on the provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to eliminate NTDs. Despite the urgency, according to the WHO strategy, WASH and NTDs have received little attention. 
This issue features new NTD toolkits from the WHO and the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC), as well as news from USAID’s NTD Program, studies and reports with overviews on WASH and NTDs, and recently published updates on schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths, and trachoma. It also includes links to some earlier but key WASH and NTD reports.
We would like to thank staff from Global Water 2020 for reviewing and providing content for this issue, as well as the International Coalition for Trachoma Control, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, and SightSavers for providing content.
News
Taking Action to End NTDs. USAID Neglected Tropical Diseases Program, February 2019. Last year USAID announced a combined $500 million investment for two new five-year flagship awards that will lead the Agency’s next generation of NTD programming.
Toolkits
WASH and Health Working Together: A ‘How-To’ Guide for Neglected Tropical Disease Programmes. WHO; NNN, January 2019. This toolkit provides step-by-step guidance to NTD program managers and partners on how to engage and work collaboratively with the WASH community to improve delivery of WASH services to underserved populations affected by NTDs. It includes a series of tools to help build multisectoral partnerships and design, implement, and evaluate interventions. The WHO also hosted a recent webinar on the toolkit and Facebook Live Q&A.
Transition Planning for Facial Cleanliness and Environmental Improvement. ICTC, April 2019. This toolkit for transition planning is one of three planning documents ICTC recommends for program managers and implementing partners to support transition from elimination efforts to routine public services.
NTD General
Fact Sheets on the Five Main WASH-Related NTDs. WHO, March and April 2019. Trachoma, Schistosomiasis, and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infections (roundworm, whipworm, hookworm). These updated online resources provide a snapshot of each disease with information on prevalence, transmission, and strategies for control.
Read the complete issue.
