The United Nations revealed that 43% of schools around the world don’t have access to water and soap for basic hand-washing.
The new report comes as countries wrestle with when and how to safely open schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report by the World Health Organization and UNICEF said more than one-third of the 818 million children around the globe who lacked basic hand-washing facilities at their schools last year are in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the report, authorities must balance health concerns with economic and social ones in deciding on opening schools. It also notes the negative effects that long closures have on children, The Associated Press reported.
The report further warned that one in three schools around the world have limited or no drinking water service.
