Amazon Prime Day sale takings would pay for world's poorest to wash hands at home says charity

The total sales of this year’s Amazon’s Prime Day of $11.2 billion would cover the cost of ensuring everyone in the poorest countries could wash their hands with soap and water at home by 2030, according to charity, WaterAid.

Water Aid said figures from WHO and UNICEF, show 30% of the world’s people cannot wash with soap and water at home – one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. And at current rates of progress, 1.9 billion people will still be without by 2030.

The charity said a WHO and UNICEF report has revealed that giving everyone in the world’s poorest countries access to handwashing with soap and water, would cost around $11 billion. Water Aid said that would “transform the life-chances of people who are currently unable to simply wash their hands at home.”

Millions of lives could be saved and billions of dollars in untapped economic potential could be unlocked for the equivalent of just $1.40 per head of the global population, the charity added.

WaterAid warned that government investment must be made to provide handwashing for all as it plays a critical role in the fight against preventable diarrhoeal diseases and respiratory infections. The charity claimed government investment in basic water, hygiene and toilets would bring a return on investment of up to 21 times the cost.