Go to the last update ⬇️
How the WASH project was born and developed
The issue of WASH conditions in health centres had already been raised during the conference on "Governing a common good: access to drinkable drinking water for all", organised by the Dicastery together with some Embassies, on 8 November 2018 at the Pontifical Urbanian University.
Later, on the occasion of World Water Day 2019 , the Dicastery defined it as a priority and presenting the document Aqua fons vitae spoke of a "battle to save lives".
In March 2020, the Dicastery clearly announced its commitment to this issue, encouraging the study of WASH conditions in health centres.
One year later, the initiative had already borne significant fruit (press release of 21 March 2021).
Last March, Cardinal Peter Turkson - Prefect of this Dicastery - gave a detailed interview available in French, Italian, and a summary in English.
In March and May 2021, the Dicastery convened several online events. At a panel discussion on 25 March, comments were recorded by Cardinal Peter Turkson, Sister Carol Keehan who chairs the Health Task Force of the Vatican Commission COVID 19, and the Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, Aloysius John. These short commentaries (totalling just over 3 minutes) are available in english, and in a subtitled version in French and Spanish; they have already been re-adopted (and can be re-adopted again, as long as the film is used in its entirety, without modification) by those who wish to organise an event on the WASH theme by illustrating the point of view of some representatives of the Church.
There were also 5 informative round tables whose recordings are fully accessible:
· on 24 May (An event of Laudato si' Week - 6th anniversary of the encyclical)
· on 26 May in English and French
· on 27 May in English and Spanish
On the occasion of these various events, a first summary of the results of the survey was presented and commented on, now available on this page. These data do not, of course, reflect the situation of all the health centres of the Church, but only of certain health centres located in particularly difficult contexts and whose directors agreed to take part in the survey.
Materials available for those who want to study WASH conditions in their own contexts
The following are the main materials used during the survey (developed by experts who collaborated with the Dicastery). They can be used by organisations wishing to assess the WASH situation in their health centre..
· The evaluation form is available both in Word and Excel in French, English and Spanish.
· There is a more detailed Excel version of this form, which includes a) additional sheets programmed to facilitate the analysis of the data collected during the survey and the compilation of a concise report, and b) a decision tree. These materials facilitate the work of those assessing their WASH situation (without necessarily having to use WASH specialists or IT experts) and then drafting projects and funding applications. They are also effective for those wishing to analyse several structures; they are available in English and French.
· It should be noted that, during this project, a computer programme (using RStudio) was developed for those wishing to analyse WASH conditions in large numbers of health centres (several dozen) and quickly compile numerous summary reports. However, the use of this programme requires advanced computer skills, and anyone wishing to use it can send a special request to the Department.
Initiative update to July 29, 2021
The Dicastery and its partners are working to ensure that all health centres involved in the survey are helped: the Caritas Confederation, Dioceses and religious congregations, NGOs of various kinds, foundations, some government agencies of international cooperation and networks of experts are already in dialogue with the Dicastery, and there are many opportunities to expand these collaborations.
Initiative update to June 15, 2023
Numerous operations to improve WASH conditions in Church health centers in the Philippines, Africa and Haiti have been initiated - and in many cases concluded.
The message sent on behalf of Pope Francis to the World Water Forum held in March 2022 in Dakar recalled the plight of people without adequate access to safe water and/or sanitation, making specific reference to patients in health centres and women giving birth.
Last April, Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ once again gave visibility to this initiative in an interview (in English).
On June 1, 2023, Caritas Internationalis, Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Sisters Ministers of the Infirm of St. Camillus, and the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul held an online meeting during which the progress of the initiative was presented and testimonies and hopes were shared. The event opened with words from Cardinal Czerny. A video recording of his speech, the talk by a WASH expert from CRS, and some testimonies (from Haiti, the Philippines, Nigeria, Mali, and Tanzania) are available. During the meeting, it was explained that funds have already been donated (or pledged) to improve WASH conditions in 51 of the health centres involved in the survey sponsored by the Dicastery; further support (donations, twinning, trainings, partnerships of various kinds, ...) was appealed for to continue in this direction.
Initiative update to May 26, 2025
In March 2024, an Official of the Dicastery, Tebaldo Vinciguerra, authored an article about this WASH Initiative in L’Osservatore Romano (for the general public, in Italian), on the occasion of World Water Day.
In February 2025, an Mr. Vinciguerra, together with three experts, published the article “Water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in 186 healthcare facilities of the Catholic Church” in the specialized Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development. This research article is available open access and describes in detail the main findings of the WASH assessment in a sample of Catholic healthcare facilities promoted years ago by the Dicastery with the help of several partners. The raw data gathered during the assessment is now available (anonymized) on this website for the purpose of supporting research.
Last April, a meeting between WASH experts, donors, civil society organizations, and representatives from several religions took place at Washington National Cathedral. Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ sent a message to the participants.
Finally, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato si’ (which highlighted the manifold connections between water, care for creation, social justice, development and fight against poverty) the Dicastery has the pleasure to announce that more than 80 Catholic healthcare facilities (out of 151 involved in the initial study) have so far received funding to cover their WASH needs totally or in part.
Initiative Update as of 27 July 2026
In September 2025, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation published the report Essential Services for Quality Care: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, Health Care Waste and Electricity Services in Health Care Facilities: Global Progress Report, which also highlighted the work of the Dicastery (DPIHD). The report analyses the challenges and progress regarding water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions, waste management and access to electricity in healthcare facilities. The publication highlights the DPIHD’s commitment to promoting a global initiative, bringing together various Catholic and non-Catholic partners to identify new opportunities and provide safe care even in impoverished areas.
The following month, Dr Tebaldo Vinciguerra, an Official of the Dicastery, presented the initiative at the annual “Water and Health” Conference organised by the Water Institute at the University of North Carolina (UNC). The panel in which Dr Vinciguerra participated also included representatives from various faith-based organisations, among them Catholic Relief Services, committed to improving WASH conditions in health centres. Dr Vinciguerra reiterated the importance of pooling capacities and resources, for example through a single initiative bringing together different organisations, and of being able to accompany numerous health centres, especially the smaller or poorer ones that would not otherwise have been able to prepare projects or reports on their own.
On 22 and 23 April 2026, an international meeting entitled Committed to WASH in Healthcare Facilities: A Gathering of Faith-based Organizations and Allies to Accelerate Progress took place at the Jesuit Curia in Rome under the patronage of the Dicastery. The proceedings opened with a Message of encouragement from the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the DPIHD, reaffirmed the Dicastery’s commitment and the importance of adequate WASH conditions in the context of integral human development and care for one’s neighbour (transcript of the speech available). Among the updates, it was announced that 87 of the health centres involved in the initial survey had received financial support. The event also provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the commitment of Catholic sisters serving in health centres. The entire meeting, together with the video message of Her Grace Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, can be viewed online. Also available are a conference report and a list of commitments made by Christian organisations (many of them Catholic) and technical organisations.
In June 2026, the Guide to the Celebration was published for the 2026 edition of the Season of Creation, an ecumenical initiative celebrated every year from 1 September to 4 October. This year’s theme is “Living Water”, and the subsection of the Guide entitled “Call to Action” urges Christians to take action so that “healthcare facilities and places of worship […] have access to clean water and adequate sanitation”.
