A/62/214 (i) Developing countries have a responsibility to seek international assistance and cooperation, while developed States have some responsibilities towards the realization of the right to health in developing countries; (j) The right to health requires that there be effective, transparent and accessible monitoring and accountability mechanisms available at the national and international levels. 72. By way of illustration, the present section will briefly apply elements of this framework to water and sanitation in the context of the right to health. Responsibilities of States Available, accessible, acceptable and quality 73. The right to health requires a State to do all it can to ensure safe water and adequate sanitation is available to everyone in its jurisdiction. The quantity of water available for each person should correspond to the quantity specified by WHO. 37 Some individuals and groups may require additional water owing to health, climate and work conditions, and the State should therefore ensure that water is available in sufficient quantities to fulfil the needs of such groups and individuals. States should take measures against overconsumption and to ensure efficient water use. The right to health requires States to ensure that safe water is available for personal and domestic uses such as drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, personal and household hygiene. 38 74. In addition to being available, the right to health requires that water and sanitation also be accessible to everyone without discrimination. In the context of water and sanitation, access has four dimensions: (a) Water and sanitation must be within safe physical reach for all sections of the population, in all parts of the country. Water and sanitation therefore should be physically accessible within, or in the immediate vicinity of, the household, educational institution, workplace and health or other institution. 39 The inaccessibility of water within safe physical reach can seriously impair health, especially of women and children responsible for carrying water. Carrying heavy water containers for long distances can cause fatigue, pain and spinal and pelvic injuries, which may lead to problems during pregnancy and childbirth. Similarly, the absence of safe, private sanitation facilities subjects women to a humiliating, stressful and uncomfortable daily routine that can damage their health. 40 When designing water and sanitation facilities for refugee camps and those for internally displaced persons, special attention should be given to prevent gender-based violence. For example, facilities should be provided in safe areas near dwellings; 41 (b) Water and sanitation must be economically accessible (that is, affordable), including to those living in poverty. Poverty is associated with inequitable access to health services, safe water and sanitation. If those living in __________________ 37 38 39 40 41 16 See G. Howard and J. Bartram, Domestic Water Quantity, Service Level and Health (WHO, 2002). E/2003/22-E/C.12/2002/13, annex IV, general comment 15, para. 12 (a). E/CN.4/Sub.2/2005/25, guideline 1.3. See United Nations Millennium Project Task Force on Water and Sanitation, Health, Dignity and Development: What Will it Take? (2005). See UNHCR, Access to Water in Refugee Situations (2005). 07-45379