Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) has unveiled a new identity — Water and Sanitation for Urban Populations — and launched an ambitious strategy for 2025–2030. This next phase aims to build inclusive, climate-resilient water and sanitation services across rapidly growing cities and towns in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
The rebrand comes at a critical moment. Climate change is intensifying droughts, floods, and water stress, forcing millions into urban centres. With cities expected to absorb two billion more people by 2050, the pressure on water and sanitation systems is mounting — all while aid budgets shrink and inequalities widen.
“Our new name and strategy signal our call to urban leaders, donors, and investors to step up — because the future of our cities depends on resilient, inclusive water and sanitation services for all,” said Ed Mitchell, CEO of WSUP.
WSUP’s fresh identity reflects its evolution into a leading urban WASH systems-change specialist. It also embraces more inclusive language, moving beyond the term “urban poor” to acknowledge the resilience and diversity of the communities it serves.
The organisation’s new strategy focuses on five key areas:
- Strengthening systems to deliver financially viable, scalable, and professional water and sanitation services.
- Embedding climate resilience, supporting cities to prepare for floods, droughts, and water shortages while reducing emissions.
- Ensuring inclusion, particularly for women, girls, migrants, and low-income residents.
- Driving policy reform and unlocking finance to support pro-poor, climate-smart investments.
- Innovating through data and research to create evidence-based service models.
As over 700 million urban dwellers still lack safe water and 1.5 billion are without basic sanitation, WSUP is pushing for a future where no one is left behind. “Urban water and sanitation are no longer just about pipes and toilets — it is about climate resilience, social equity, and economic survival,” said Mitchell.
With this bold new chapter, WSUP is reaffirming its commitment to building sustainable systems that ensure water and sanitation for all — especially the most vulnerable — in the face of a changing climate.