Sanitation is currently high on the international development agenda. But for policy to be effective, basic enabling factors are required – the right institutional environment and the right governance structures – which in many countries are not yet fully in place.

Sanitation has attracted increasing political attention in the global development agenda during the last two decades. National governments, development and donor agencies have been rethinking pathways to achieving sanitation and hygiene for all.

Sanitation has attracted increasing political attention in the global development agenda during the last two decades. National governments, development and donor agencies have been rethinking pathways to achieving sanitation and hygiene for all.

The provision of sanitation facilities – a basic necessity for human health, well-being, dignity and development – remains a mammoth challenge for developing countries, in which the vast majority of the 2.5 billion people without improved sanitation facilities reside.