Millions in the Pacific still lack access to basic drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services, according to a new report released to mark World Water Week 2025 by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The findings show that five million people still go without basic drinking water and nine million lack adequate sanitation, even as some progress has been recorded in urban and rural areas over the past five years.
UNICEF Pacific Representative Jonathan Veitch called the persistence of these gaps unacceptable in 2025, stressing that behind every statistic is a child at risk of disease, a family enduring indignity, and a community being left behind. WHO Representative to the South Pacific Dr. Mark Jacobs echoed the urgency, saying safe water, sanitation, and hygiene are among the strongest tools for protecting health, and universal WASH access is essential to safeguarding health and building resilience across the region.
The report underscores deep inequalities, with rural communities, low-income families, children, and Indigenous groups most at risk. It also highlights the need for accelerated investment and action to close gaps and ensure no one is left behind as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal targets loom.
These regional realities are reflected in related assessments from the Pacific, where data from the Solomon Islands reveals that about a third of the population lacks basic drinking water, and substantial portions also struggle with sanitation. Other analyses point to even starker contrasts: in Fiji, roughly 17% of urban residents have access to sewered sanitation, while many facilities still lack reliable WASH services. Health facilities across the region also reveal WASH shortcomings, with a number of hospitals and clinics reporting gaps in clean water, waste management, and infection prevention measures.
Experts emphasize that solutions must go beyond building new infrastructure. They point to persistent data gaps that hinder effective planning, the need for sustained political commitment, and the importance of financing that reaches rural and remote communities. Strengthening water governance, expanding data collection, and fostering cross-border collaboration are seen as critical steps toward narrowing disparities and speeding progress toward universal WASH.
A hopeful takeaway from these combined findings is the potential for meaningful improvement through coordinated action. When governments, international organizations, and local communities partner to invest in durable WASH systems, train frontline workers, and implement resilient infrastructure, the health and well-being of vulnerable Pacific populations can be significantly strengthened. There is a clear momentum for reform and investment that, if sustained, could bring the region closer to universal access by 2030.
What this means for readers and policymakers is a clear call to keep WASH at the top of development agendas, prioritize rural and Indigenous communities, and mobilize funding and technical support to accelerate progress. With continued collaboration and commitment, the Pacific can move toward healthier communities, lower disease risk, and greater dignity for families without reliable access to these basic services.
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