In January, we proposed the idea of a global call to enshrine the human rights to water and sanitation in every constitution worldwide. It is planned to be launched ahead of World Water Day 2026 and will continue until the UN Water Conference, which is scheduled for December. The first round of consultations with Blue Communities yielded substantial feedback. Beginning of February, we invited other interested organisations and institutions to participate in a second round of consultation. Until today, 20 organisations – mostly from the global South – participated and support the global call. Below is a short summary of the feedback received and some selected voices.
Main points
The global call for the human rights to water and sanitation
- is timely and important.
- shall be strongly based on grassroots and community based organisations.
- shall reach out to politicians, parties, ministries, governments.
- shall bridge generations and involve children, as it is “what we owe future generations”
- is not only a legal obligation, but a moral and spiritual imperative.
- Any small financial support for field activities would certainly increase the outreach and impact.
See all institutions, organisations, and individuals who participated in the consultation and added their voice to the global call here.
Some voices from the consultation
Hope Givers Foundation (Malawi), Steven Dereck Chinsendenji :
The campaign is timely and important, particularly for communities in the Global South where access to safe water and sanitation remains a major challenge. We recommend strong involvement of grassroots and community-based organizations, simple and inclusive messaging that reaches rural populations, and a strong focus on accountability to ensure the human rights to water and sanitation are respected, protected, and fulfilled.
Hope Givers Foundation proudly supports the global call HRWatSan2026 and affirms that access to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental human right. We commit to working with communities and partners in Malawi to ensure water and sanitation for all, everywhere.
FIAN Germany (FoodFirst Information- and Action-Network Germany), Dr. phil. Ingo Gentes:
Defending a human rights to water law is environmental friendly and a a high cooperative social construction transforming political action and improving law enforcement against all odds and resistances. This ist what we owe future generations.
Dhara Sansthan (Barmer, Rajasthan, India), Mahesh Panplia:
Barmer has seen the fourth year of unreeling drought this year. There was a total crop failure and even the drinking water was scarce. In these conditions a programme to construct water storage structure was taken up in 17 villages of Barmer block. During this programme a total of 35 tanklis of 4” x 5” size were constructed. Before the beginning of the programme a village label meetings was organized for the selection of the beneficiaries. Most of the beneficiaries were chosen from the SC and ST Community, the widow the disables and other vulnerable sections of the village. Due to social and economic deprivation these people were unable to construct any water storage structure and thus became very vulnerable in the times of this intense drought
Hydro-GENES Consulting (N’Djamena, Tchad), Yerdieou Alphonse:
Au Tchad, il n’existe pas une loi qui reconnaît le droit à l’eau et à l’assainissement. Dans cet esprit, la campagne HRWatSan2026 devrait intensifier les efforts de plaidoyer pour faire adopter des cadres juridiques nationaux, tout en prenant en considération les spécificités du Tchad et des autres pays sahéliens et les populations les plus vulnérables.
Il serait utile de renforcer la collaboration avec les acteurs locaux dans le domaine, le cluster WASH, les ministeres (Eau, sante, Envir.) et la mairies afin d’adapter les messages et actions de la campagne aux contextes nationaux.
Janusz Korczak School, Altenstadt (Germany/Hesse), Doris Krüerke-Brumm (teacher):
We want to and must practise treating water with respect and responsibility together with the children.
Indian Society for Rural Development ISRD (Ganjam, Odisha, India), Sudhir Sabat:
We plan to participate by conducting child-friendly and community awareness sessions in interior and climate-prone areas of Odisha. We will also share field experiences, IEC materials in local language, and coordinate with local stakeholders to support the campaign.
Eglise Du Christ Au Congo (Matadi/ Kongo Central/RDC), Dr Nathan Bundutidi Makaya, Directeur Provincial du Département de la Diaconie et Santé de l’ECC-Kongo central:
L’ECC Kongo Central, à travers son Département de la Diaconie et Santé, s’engage activement à promouvoir et défendre le droit à l’eau potable et à l’assainissement, conformément à sa mission sociale et spirituelle. Actions clés prévues : Plaidoyer communautaire : sensibilisation des paroisses et communautés locales sur leurs droits à l’eau et à l’assainissement, formation de leaders communautaires et comités de suivi. Plaidoyer institutionnel : engagement auprès des autorités provinciales et locales pour renforcer l’application des lois et politiques existantes. Participation à des forums multi-acteurs et partenariats avec la société civile. Communication et publications : diffusion de notes, communiqués, bulletins et contenus numériques sur l’accès à l’eau et à l’assainissement. Rédaction de rapports et témoignages pour alimenter la campagne mondiale. Actions concrètes : initier des projets d’accès à l’eau et d’assainissement, suivi de la gestion communautaire des infrastructures et mobilisation de bénévoles et ressources locales. Impact attendu : Meilleure connaissance et appropriation des droits par les communautés ; Renforcement de la coordination entre communautés, autorités et l’Église ; Contribution significative à la visibilité et au succès de la campagne mondiale au Kongo Central. L’ECC Kongo Central réaffirme : garantir l’accès universel à l’eau potable et à l’assainissement n’est pas seulement une obligation légale, mais un impératif moral et spirituel.
KeneElouTe (Aarberg, Switzerland), Annemarie Koch – President:
As a civil society association, KeneElouTe Verein plans to support the campaign by sharing key messages within our networks and raising awareness among our members and partners.
Naby Laye Camara, Coordinateur de Blue Community Guinée:
Nous allons soutenir la campagne mondiale en faveur des droits humains à l’eau et à l’assainissement (HRWatSan) en participant et en faisant participer notre entourage aux activités qui seront planifiées à cet effet en fonction de notre disponibilité.
Out Of The Blue Movement (Cape Town, South Africa), Rene Frank:
Out Of The Blue Movement fully endorse this campaign and plea to support the mandate actively thought out 2026
Darbar Sahitya Sansada DSS (Bhubaneswar, Khordha, Odisha State, India), Mr. Kedareswar Chaudhury- CEO:
DSS will do it through the networks it has developed using volunteers and community contributions. if any kind of small financial support can be available for the field activities would certainly increase the outreach and impact.
Global Relief and Empowerment Initiative (Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State, Uyo), Rev. Anietie Effiong:
Water and sanitation are human rights, not privileges. Everyone, everywhere, deserves safe water and dignified sanitation to live healthy, equal, and dignified lives.
EnviroVision2050 (New Delhi, India), Charu G,
EnviroVision2050 supports the call to embed the Human Right to Water and Sanitation within national constitutions as recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 64/292.Recognition must translate into enforceable policy, dedicated financing, and accountable public governance. At the same time, safeguarding water security is a shared responsibility. We also call upon citizens and institutions to join hands in advancing water conservation, protecting local water bodies, and ensuring sustainable water use. Water security requires both constitutional commitment and collective responsibility.
