The Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) is an informal network of organisations who share a common vision on sustainable sanitation. SuSanA came into existence in early 2007 and works as a coordination platform, working platform, sounding board, contributor to the policy dialogue on sustainable sanitation and as a “catalyst”.
Participation is open to those who want to join and be active in the promotion of sustainable sanitation systems. The SuSanA invites international, regional and local organisations to join the network, contribute ideas, and to become active partners in the thematic working groups.
Urgency for action in the sanitation sector
- Worldwide there are approximately 2.6 billion people without access to any kind of improved sanitation
- 2.2 million deaths are caused by sanitation-related diseases and poor hygiene conditions
- The most affected group is children under the age of 5 years Progress towards the Millenium Development Goal (MDG) in sanitation is much too slow, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Sanitation rarely receives the required attention and priority by politicians and civil societies alike despite its key importance on many other sectors and for achieving most of the MDGs
- The political will has been largely lacking when it comes to place sanitation high on the international development agenda
Goal and objectives of the SuSanA
The overall goal of the SuSanA is to contribute to the achievement of the MDGs by promoting sanitation systems which take into consideration all aspects of sustainability.
The MDGs and the UN's "International Year of Sanitation 2008" are highly appreciated by the "Sustainable Sanitation Alliance" as they have helped push sanitation high up in the political agenda. The main focus of the work of the "Sustainable Sanitation Alliance" will be to promote the implementation of sustainable sanitation systems in large scale water and sanitation programmes, in line with the strategies proposed e.g. by WHO, UNDP-PEP, UNSGAB and UNESCO.
What is sustainable sanitation?
The main objective of a sanitation system is to protect and promote human health by providing a clean environment and breaking the cycle of disease. In order to be sustainable, a sanitation system has to be not only economically viable, socially acceptable, and technically and institutionally appropriate, it should also protect the environment and the natural resources.
UN resolution on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation
The general Assembly declared that access to clean water and sanitation is a human right on 28 July 2010. This decision was very much welcomed by the SuSanA.
Safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights, the General Assembly declared, voicing deep concern that almost 900 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water.
