World Vision inaugurated the Regional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Forum in Comayagua, Honduras, bringing together government officials, cooperation agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations to address critical challenges in safe water access, sanitation, and hygiene across Latin America and the Caribbean. In his opening remarks, Joao H. Diniz, World Vision’s Regional Leader for LAC, emphasized the urgency of action, noting that 1,000 children still die daily from diseases linked to inadequate WASH services. He highlighted that despite the region’s significant freshwater resources, 166 million people remain without dignified access to safe water, creating humanitarian, migration, and productivity crises, particularly in areas such as the Dry Corridor, the Amazon, Haiti, and Andean regions.
World Vision introduced its regional strategy, The Blue Thread / El Hilo Azul, which frames access to water, sanitation, and hygiene as essential for broader rights, including nutrition, health, child protection, environmental stewardship, and sustainable livelihoods. Diniz stressed that safe water extends beyond drinking, encompassing ecosystem restoration, watershed protection, sustainable livelihoods, menstrual hygiene, and dignity for women, boys, and girls. With less than four years until the 2030 target for Sustainable Development Goal 6, accelerating progress in water and sanitation is critical, as current rates are insufficient to achieve universal access to safely managed services.
The forum emphasized the importance of multisector collaboration among governments, international organizations, the private sector, donors, communities, and faith-based organizations to achieve water justice and holistic well-being for children. In line with this, World Vision launched AQUA Nexus, a platform designed to mobilize investment, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships to enhance water resilience in vulnerable communities. The initiative aims to provide tailored support based on donor priorities and local needs, promoting sustainable financing and long-term planning to ensure water justice across the region.
The Regional WASH Forum will feature three strategic panels focusing on the current state of WASH in LAC, the ecosystem of sector stakeholders, and emerging trends, challenges, and financing opportunities. Diniz concluded by calling on all stakeholders to commit to joint action that supports children’s well-being through sustainable and community-sensitive investments, reinforcing the critical role of coordinated efforts in achieving equitable water and sanitation access.
