Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government plans to take in 2021 to improve the global provision of facilities for handwashing, particularly in healthcare facilities, as part of global efforts to help prevent the spread of (a) covid-19 and (b) future pandemics.

The UK Government recognises the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in health care facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and bolster preparedness for future pandemics. In January 2021, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office joined a variety of civil society, multilateral and governmental partners to form an international taskforce, to accelerate the provision of WASH services in global healthcare facilities over the next two years. Similarly, we continue to support the Sanitation and Water for All partnership, bringing together donors, the private sector and NGOs to help governments increase access to WASH services in healthcare facilities, as part of our wider global leadership on WASH.

Additionally, through our COVID-19 hygiene partnership with Unilever, we have jointly provided 2.6 million WASH products and services to over 10,000 health care facilities to strengthen their hygiene and infection prevention and control practices. This has included installing 2,400 handwashing stations, of which the majority are accessible for those with disabilities and older persons, and distributing nearly 1.5 million bars of soap in facilities. Partners have also trained over 10,000 healthcare workers, using innovative tools and technology in light of COVID restrictions. This partnership will continue in 2021.