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The Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) will complete the transfer of its hosting to UNOPS at the end of the month, with the organization continuing to focus on improving water supply and sanitation for poor people worldwide. According to WSSCC, 900 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. With a network of National WASH Coalitions in 36 countries and individual members in 140 countries, WSSCC works with the issues of water supply and sanitation at the community, national and global levels.

Through its three programme areas, Networking & Knowledge Management, Advocacy & Communications and the Global Sanitation Fund, WSSCC is at the forefront of knowledge, debate and influence on water, sanitation and hygiene.

As host, UNOPS will provide administrative services such as financial management, procurement and human resource and personnel management. UNOPS is also providing grant management services for WSSCC's Global Sanitation Fund.

Jon Lane, WSSCC Executive Director, said, "We are pleased to have found a new partner in UNOPS to act as host for WSSCC's Secretariat, and the smooth transition has allowed our member-related and program work to continue as usual."

Previously the World Health Organization was the legal and administrative host for the WSSCC's Secretariat, which is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The two organizations will continue to work closely in the fields of water and sanitation.