Dig Deep (Africa)’s Post

Open defecation is the leading cause of preventable death for children under five in Liberia. The challenge in creating a lasting solution to this pressing issue is not convincing people to use toilets but creating an environment where they have the tools and support to not only build latrines but to keep them sustainable in the long-term. That's where the USAID Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) comes in. Explore how implementing a market-based #sanitation approach, applying #SBC initiatives, and strengthening the capacity of local institutions to plan, implement, and monitor activities are driving a sanitation revolution in Liberia: https://bit.ly/3QGfWqE

COWASH IV Launches Comparative Study on Community WASH Ownership We're excited to announce that COWASH IV, in partnership with Frontieri, is conducting a comprehensive study to analyze the impact of community ownership on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) operations, maintenance, and sustainability. This week our team has begun collecting data across 13 target project Woredas and 26 Kebeles. The team will be engaged in conducting interviews and focus group discussions with beneficiary communities, partner bureaus, schools, WASH committees, and COWASH IV focal persons at woreda and kebele levels. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of community-managed and woreda-managed WASH schemes in terms of ownership, operations, maintenance, and sustainability. It will also examine the impact of woreda-managed projects on institutional WASH implementation, including ownership, efficiency, maintenance, and long-term sustainability. The findings of this study will inform our strategies for promoting sustainable and effective WASH solutions not only within COWASH IV but also across the broader WASH sector. #COWASHIV #WASH #CommunityOwnership #Sustainability

Water, sanitation, and hygiene play a huge role in our daily lives. Over the past few months, I was tasked with researching the institutional capacity and performance of donor-funded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects in Kibera informal settlement, Kenya. While focusing primarily on Kibera, one of Africa's largest informal settlements, I also considered similar settlements in neighboring countries such as Burundi. This led me to an interesting research study by Myriam Sidibe. Sidibe's work sheds light on a staggering reality: nearly a third of the global population, totaling 2 billion people, lacks access to basic sanitation facilities. Among them, 673 million individuals resort to open defecation, while hundreds of millions rely on shared facilities, making sanitation maintenance a significant challenge. During the day, 620 million children lack access to a proper toilet in their school. Rural areas lack the scale to justify a proper septic system, and urban schools cannot keep up with the demand. The toilets may exist, but due to inadequate cleaning and maintenance, they often do not function properly. Poor sanitation causes 280,000 deaths annually and leads to enormous economic losses, estimated at $200 billion annually, from stunted cognitive development in children as well as direct healthcare costs. Open defecation is particularly dangerous. Women seek privacy in fields at night, where they are most vulnerable. Sidibe mentioned that many girls miss school during menstruation due to the lack of private toilets for self-care. A comprehensive solution, through conventional means, is still a long way off. To achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, we would need to triple the current rate of investment by donors, governments, and multilateral organizations, totaling $1 trillion, said Sidibe. Cultural norms, finance, behavior change, and institutional capacity are major factors contributing to the failures of most WASH projects. Your participation in this research study is necessary in informing future efforts to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services not only in Kibera but also in similar contexts. Please consider filling out the survey or sharing your insights in the comments section below. https://lnkd.in/dZ5SFmep

ZM: Zambia NGO WASH Forum Raises Concerns Over Inadequate Budget Allocation for WASH in 2025 The Zambia NGO WASH Forum has expressed serious concern over the insufficient budget allocation for the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in the recently presented 2025 National Budget. The Forum noted that the allocation does not adequately address the widespread challenges Zambia faces in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene.

Communities in Africa, grapple with dire water challenges, fueling health risks and sanitation woes. With inadequate infrastructure and rampant open defecation, safe water access remains elusive, impacting daily lives and hindering education. As we strive for a healthier, more sustainable future, let's rally together to prioritize clean water initiatives, implement sanitation solutions, and empower communities for lasting change. Together, we can ensure a brighter tomorrow for all Nigerians. #WaterCrisis #Sanitation #CommunityDevelopment https://lnkd.in/dM4BEbWu

Currently, over 25% of Liberia’s population lacks access to safe water, and only 17% have access to improved sanitation services. But the establishment of the WASH Standing Committee within the 55th Legislature marks a crucial step towards addressing the long-standing challenges faced by the WASH sector in the country. USAID's Countywide Sanitation Activity (CWSA) and its national partner, Compassion for Humanity (C4H)-Liberia, along with the consortium led by Population Services International (PSI) and partners including Concern Worldwide, Athena Infonomics, and Gusceman, Inc. are joining forces to celebrate this remarkable achievement. Together, they are committed to eradicating open defecation and ensuring that all Liberians have access to safe water and sanitation services. This powerful collaboration brings Liberia closer to ensuring that every citizen has access to the safe water and sanitation they deserve, paving the way for a healthier future for everyone. #CWSAinLiberia #WaSH #SanitationTransformation #CommunityPartnership #AthenaInfonomics #SanitationforAll #WaterforAll #SDG6

WASHCost WASH Cost https://lnkd.in/dPzYJikZ https://lnkd.in/dPzYJikZ Understanding the cost of water and sanitation services Life-cycle costing tools https://lnkd.in/dTqfAiqT

Currently, the average access to safe water in Kabarole district stands at 77 percent with some sub counties still facing significant challenges like Kijura town council which still stands at 7 percent. Of the 77 percent, only 27 percent of the population has access to water from protected springs, 58 percent relies on shallow well, 4 percent on boreholes and 12 percent on public taps. Since 2018, the district has been implementing a WASH master plan to conclude by 2030. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eab4uiYw IRCWASH

#Benin, a West African country, is implementing #WASH initiatives to improve #publichealth, access to #cleanwater, and #sanitation services. The country has implemented Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programs, #empowering communities to improve #sanitation practices. Over 1,500 #communities have been declared open #defecation-free zones, promoting sustainable practices. Over 80% of the #rural population now has access to improved #watersources. Benin has also prioritized WASH programs in #schools, promoting #handwashing practices and sanitation #education. These #initiatives demonstrate the transformative power of #WASH interventions in improving overall #well-being and #quality of life. Picture Credit: Water Herald

#WASH "EMERGENCY SANITATION PROJECT" The Emergency Sanitation Project is a collaboration between IFRC, WASTE and Oxfam GB to solve some of the most difficult challenges with providing sanitation in emergencies. The Emergency Sanitation Project aims to increase the global understanding of current and future emergency sanitation and to propose new concepts and modular technologies for safe excreta disposal in emergency settings that are applicable in a variety of situations. A menu of options will be available through the development of specialised emergency sanitation modules, which are rapid to deploy and are cost -effective when compared with traditional solutions. We are looking at a wide range of issues – more information on which can be found in the specific areas on the left. https://lnkd.in/g6pyqhHv https://lnkd.in/g6pyqhHv