New platform will share resources to strengthen co-operation and efforts to address WASH challenges across Africa.
Today, the CAPOOP Alliance “Communications, Advocacy & Policy Opportunities and Outreach for Poop” launches an online collaborative platform, which aims to share knowledge and expertise of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) between experts across Africa. This new platform will allow members and partners to share resources and best practices, consolidate knowledge, and showcase innovative solutions to improve sanitation across the continent.
The platform will provide a series of tailor-made, user-friendly tools and resources to catalyze the work of key sanitation professionals and advocates working on fecal sludge management and non-sewered sanitation in Africa.
Today, 1 in 3 people still live without adequate sanitation in facilities in Africa, with this number rising to 75% in the West African region. To advance sanitation across the continent, late last year the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and its member states launched the Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG). The ASPGs are designed to provide African countries with guidance for updating and developing inclusive sanitation policies that are tailored to each country’s context, as well as the legal frameworks necessary for implementation. The new guidelines will ensure that sanitation policies are consistent across the continent.
Yacine Djibo, Founder & Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, says: “Improving access to better sanitation and hygiene across the continent is one of Africa’s greatest challenges, but we know that we are stronger when we work together. Through this new online platform, we will be able to share knowledge and expertise which will allow CAPOOP members to better understand the challenges and opportunities we have to improve sanitation across the continent.”
Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Executive Secretary of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW), said: “It is great to see the WASH sector working together in such a collaborative way, and by sharing our resources and knowledge we will only strengthen efforts to improve sanitation across Africa. As we roll out the new Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines, to improve sanitation across the continent, this new online tool will bolster our partnerships and find like-minded partners committed to supporting Africa’s sanitation journey.”
CAPOOP is an alliance of like-minded organizations committed to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all, and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations by 2030.
Earlier this year, the CAPOOP group launched its first ever sanitation media fellowship. On the side-lines of the 20th AfWA Congress in February, eight reporters from across Africa participated in a sanitation media training workshop before participating and documenting key events during the Congress. For the duration of a year, CAPOOP will support these fellows, connecting them to key spokespeople in the sector and increasing their capacity for reporting on sanitation issues across Africa.
Notes to Editors
To access the Communications, Advocacy & Policy Opportunities and Outreach for Poop platform, visit www.capoop.org
Par M. Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Ministre de l’Eau et de l’Assainissement, Sénégal
En cette ère d’urbanisation rapide et de croissance démographique, l’Afrique est confrontée à une crise de l’assainissement. Depuis de nombreuses années, notre continent est mal préparé et mal équipé pour fournir les infrastructures d’assainissement dont nos populations ont besoin, et la demande pour de telles infrastructures continue d’augmenter plus vite que nous ne pouvons les fournir. L’Afrique a donc beaucoup à accomplir d’ici 2030 pour atteindre l’objectif de développement durable 6, qui vise à garantir la disponibilité et la gestion durable de l’eau et de l’assainissement pour tous.
Les ministres africains ont un rôle essentiel à jouer. En 2016, nous avons franchi une étape importante vers cet objectif, lorsque les ministres se sont réunis au Sénégal pour signer la Déclaration de Ngor. Nous avons pris des engagements importants pour parvenir à un accès universel à des services d’assainissement et d’hygiène adéquats et durables et éliminer la défécation en plein air d’ici 2030. Au cours de la seule dernière décennie, plus de 650 000 personnes à travers le continent ont directement bénéficié du Programme du millénaire pour l’eau potable et l’assainissement afin d’améliorer l’accès à des services durables.[1]
Pourtant, de nombreux défis demeurent pour ce secteur, en particulier un manque de clarté dans les politiques – telles que les responsabilités institutionnelles, le financement et le recouvrement des coûts. L’intégration de politiques d’assainissement efficaces à plus long terme est une opportunité majeure pour les ministres d’intégrer les infrastructures indispensables, d’améliorer la santé de nos communautés et de garantir la dignité à tous les citoyens.
C’est pourquoi je soutiens l’initiative du Conseil des ministres africains sur les lignes directrices pour la politique d’assainissement en Afrique (ASPG). Les ASPG ont été conçus pour fournir une base aux pays pour s’adapter, afin de développer des politiques d’assainissement durables et inclusives adaptées aux besoins de chaque pays.
En ce qui concerne mon pays le Sénégal, le Président de la République, S.E.M Macky Sall, dans son programme 5.3.5, a fait de l’accès universel à l’eau et à l’assainissement une des priorités du Plan Sénégal Émergent. L’adoption de nouvelles réformes et approches a permis au secteur sénégalais de l’assainissement de croître à un rythme soutenu, mais notre pays reste confronté à des défis. L’accès à l’assainissement de base dans les zones rurales est toujours à la traîne, avec seulement 42,3 % pour cent de notre population rurale ayant accès en 2017, contre 67,4 % pour cent dans les zones urbaines. L’accès à un assainissement adéquat est une priorité pour le gouvernement sénégalais et nous visons à l’augmenter dans les zones rurales à 65 % d’ici 2023.
C’est précisément là que l’ASPG apporte de la valeur. Non seulement il se concentre sur la fourniture de lignes directrices pour la création de politiques pouvant soutenir l’assainissement dans les zones rurales et urbaines à l’heure actuelle, mais il se concentre également sur la durabilité de ces politiques parce que nos actions doivent aussi intégrer les besoins des générations futures.
Des politiques d’assainissement complètes et inclusives nous offriront la possibilité d’améliorer l’approvisionnement, la fiabilité et la sécurité du secteur de l’eau et de l’assainissement. L’année prochaine, le Sénégal sera le premier pays subsaharien à accueillir le Forum mondial de l’eau, qui se veut être un forum de solutions innovantes et résilientes. J’espère continuer à tirer parti de ces progrès en collaboration avec les autres ministres africains. En utilisant des ressources telles que l’ASPG, les pays peuvent mettre en œuvre rapidement et efficacement des politiques qui fonctionnent pour leurs régions respectives – des politiques conçues pour durer. En tant que dirigeants africains de l’assainissement, nous, ministres en charge de l’eau et de l’assainissement, sommes largement responsables de l’ODD 6, et j’invite donc mes collègues ministres à se joindre à moi pour accélérer ces progrès et transformer définitivement notre continent et la vie de nos citoyens.
[1] https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2018/07/03/senegal-increasing-access-to-sustainable-water-and-sanitation-services
By Mr, Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senegal
In this age of rapid urbanization and population growth, Africa is facing a sanitation crisis. For many years, our continent has been unprepared and ill-equipped to provide the sanitation infrastructure our populations need, and demand for such infrastructure continues to rise faster than we can supply it. Africa therefore has a lot to achieve by 2030, to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Ministers across Africa consequently have a critical role to play. In 2016, we took an important step towards this goal, when Ministers convened in Senegal to sign the Ngor Declaration. We made important commitments to achieve universal access to adequate and sustainable sanitation and hygiene services and eliminate open defecation by 2030. In the last decade alone, over 650,000 people across the continent directly benefitted from the Millennium Drinking Water and Sanitation Program to increase access to sustainable water and sanitation services.[1]
Yet many challenges remain for the sanitation sector, particularly a lack of clarity in policies – such as institutional responsibilities, financing and cost recovery. Integrating longer-term, effective sanitation policies is a major opportunity for Ministers to embed much-needed infrastructure, enhance the health of our communities and guarantee dignity for all.
That’s why, I support, the African Ministers Council on Water’s Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) initiative. The ASPG have been designed to provide a foundation for countries to adapt, in order to develop sustainable and inclusive sanitation policies that are tailored to each country’s needs.
In my country, Senegal, the President of the Republic, His Excellency Macky Sall made universal access to water and sanitation one of the priorities of the Emerging Senegal Plan. The adoption of new reforms and approaches has enabled the Senegalese sanitation sector to grow at a sustained pace, yet, our country still faces challenges. Access to basic sanitation in rural areas still falls behind, with only 42.3% percent of our rural population having access to basic sanitation in 2017, compared to 67.4% percent in urban areas. Access to adequate sanitation is a priority for the Senegalese government and we aim to increase access in rural areas to 65% by 2023.
This is precisely where the ASPG brings value. Not only does it focus on providing guidelines for the creation of policies that can support sanitation in rural and urban areas in the present, but it also focuses on the sustainability of such policies. We must look to those who will be moving our country forward when we are no longer here.
Comprehensive and inclusive sanitation policies will provide an opportunity for us all to enhance the provision, reliability, and security of the water and sanitation sector. Next year, Senegal will be the first sub-Saharan country to host the World Water Forum, demonstrating the remarkable progress taking place in Africa. Moving forwards, I hope to further build on this progress in collaboration with fellow African Ministers. By utilizing resources such as the ASPG, countries can quickly and effectively implement policies that work for their respective regions – policies that are built to last. As Africa’s sanitation leaders, us, Ministers in charge of water and sanitation, are largely accountable for SDG 6, so I urge my fellow Ministers to join me in accelerating this progress and transforming our continent and the lives of our citizens for good.
[1] https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2018/07/03/senegal-increasing-access-to-sustainable-water-and-sanitation-services
Le Groupe des Amis de l’Alimentation Scolaire, the Ministry of Education and Speak Up Africa ensure pupils can take preventative measures against COVID-19
Dakar, June 2, 2020 – Earlier this month, le Groupe des Amis de l’Alimentation Scolaire (GAASS) strengthened its commitment to schoolchildren across Senegal by providing handwashing stations for pupils returning to school following the outbreak of COVID-19, in partnership with Dakar-based advocacy tank Speak Up Africa.
In Senegal, to enable the Ministry of Education to safely deliver its plans to maintain education during the COVID-19 pandemic, GAASS and Speak Up Africa have donated 300 handwashing stations for schools. The facilities, which will enable schoolchildren to follow the recommended COVID-19 prevention measures, were officially delivered to the Minister of Education, Mr Mamadou Talla, on 14th May.
GAASS regroups like-minded individuals to support the World Food Programme’s objective to provide meals to schoolchildren throughout Senegal. Members of GAASS seek to raise public awareness of and support advocacy efforts for national school meal programmes. At present, the World Food Programme provides meals to over 500 schools throughout Senegal.
In Africa, there are currently over 147,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,230 deaths. Several risk factors mean the virus could spread quickly across the continent. High population densities, communal living as well as constrained access to water and washing facilities all increase the likelihood of coronavirus infections and fatalities. As some children head back to school, governments must ensure that they are returning to safe environments, with the correct COVID-19 prevention equipment in place.
This collaboration is an important component of the Stay Safe Africa campaign, which seeks to empower communities and individuals to take simple and proven preventive measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Africa. The platform incorporates messages and advice tailored to African communities and leadership, accounting for language, literacy and cultural barriers.
“As a group, our objective is to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing through the provision of school meal programmes. In the context of COVID-19, it is critical that children return to school with the proper prevention methods in place. This will not only keep them protected from COVID-19, by following the proven prevention method of handwashing, but ensure that they can go on learning and developing safely”, saidNdioro Ndiaye, Chair of GAASS.
“Education provides children with the tools they need for a healthier, more prosperous future – benefitting themselves and their communities. If we want to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, it is vital that education continues to be delivered safely in the face of COVID-19. Here at Speak Up Africa we are passionate about improving access to sanitation, so we are delighted to partner with GAASS to provide schoolchildren with handwashing facilities to protect themselves and their classmates from COVID-19”, highlighted Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa.
For more information, please visit www.staysafeafrica.org
Le Groupe des Amis de l’Alimentation Scolaire, le Ministère de l’Éducation nationale et Speak Up Africa se mobilisent pour que les élèves puissent respecter les gestes barrières contre la pandémie.
Dakar, le 2 juin 2020 – Dans le contexte du COVID-19, le Groupe des Amis de l’Alimentation Scolaire (GAASS) renforce son engagement auprès des élèves sénégalais en distribuant, avec Speak Up Africa le groupe d’action politique et de plaidoyer dakarois, 300 dispositifs de lavage des mains dans les écoles.
Au Sénégal, pour permettre au ministère de l’éducation de maintenir les services d’éducation pendant la pandémie tout en assurant la sécurité des élèves, le GAASS et Speak Up Africa ont fait don aux écoles de 300 dispositifs de lavage des mains. Ces derniers, qui permettront aux écoliers de suivre les mesures préventives éprouvées contre le COVID-19, ont été officiellement remis au Ministre de l’éducation, M. Mamadou Talla, le 14 mai.
La GAASS rassemble des personnes travaillant à la réalisation de l’objectif du Programme alimentaire mondial (PAM) de fournir des repas aux écoliers à travers tout le Sénégal. Les membres du GAASS cherchent à sensibiliser le public et à soutenir les efforts de plaidoyer en faveur des programmes nationaux d’alimentation scolaire. Le Programme alimentaire mondial fournit actuellement des repas à plus de 500 écoles dans tout le Sénégal.
L’Afrique compte actuellement plus de 147 000 cas confirmés de COVID-19 et 4230 décès. Plusieurs facteurs de risque pourraient accélérer la propagation du virus sur le continent. Les fortes densités de population, la vie en communauté, ainsi que l’accès limité à l’eau et aux installations sanitaires augmentent la probabilité d’infections par le coronavirus et de décès. Alors que certains enfants retournent à l’école, les gouvernements doivent s’assurer qu’ils sont accueillis dans des environnements sûrs, munis du matériel de prévention adéquat.
Ce partenariat est un élément important de la campagne « Restons Prudents » ou Stay Safe Africa en anglais, qui vise à outiller communautés et individus avec des messages clés portants sur des mesures préventives simples et testées contre la propagation du COVID-19 en Afrique. La plateforme intègre des messages et des conseils adaptés aux communautés et aux dirigeants africains, en tenant compte des barrières linguistiques, culturelles et de l’alphabétisation des populations.
« L’objectif de notre organisation est d’améliorer l’apprentissage et le bien-être des enfants par la mise en place de programmes de repas scolaires. Dans le cadre de la lutte contre le COVID-19, il est essentiel que les enfants retournent dans des écoles où les méthodes de prévention appropriées peuvent être appliquées. Cela permettra non seulement de les protéger contre le COVID-19, en suivant la méthode de prévention éprouvée qu’est le lavage des mains, mais aussi de s’assurer qu’ils puissent continuer à apprendre et à se développer en toute sécurité », déclare Ndioro Ndiaye, présidente du GAASS.
« L’éducation donne aux enfants les outils dont ils ont besoin pour un avenir plus sain et plus prospère – un bienfait pour eux-mêmes et pour leurs communautés. Si nous voulons atteindre les objectifs de développement durable d’ici 2030, il est essentiel que l’éducation continue à être dispensée en toute sécurité malgré l’épidémie du COVID-19. Chez Speak Up Africa, l’amélioration de l’accès à l’assainissement pour tous est primordiale. C’est pourquoi nous sommes ravis de nous associer au GAASS pour fournir aux écoliers des installations de lavage des mains qui les protégeront eux et leurs camarades contre le COVID-19 », conclut Yacine Djibo, Directrice exécutive de Speak Up Africa.
Plus d’informations sur www.staysafeafrica.org
One of the greatest challenges we face as a continent is the enduring sanitation crisis. 1 in 3 people still live without adequate sanitation facilities, a figure that rises to 3 in 4 in West Africa. Putting millions at risk of becoming unwell and missing school or work, inadequate sanitation not only impacts the everyday lives of African citizens, but their future too.
Over the years, countries across Africa have each tackled sanitation challenges with a different policy approach, and now rapid urbanisation, scarcity of resources and emerging concerns like COVID-19 threaten to harm vulnerable populations and move existing progress backwards. To weave together the continent’s disjointed sanitation policy landscape and ensure that such policies are comprehensive and sustainable in the long-term, the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) has introduced the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) Initiative. This comprehensive framework draws on the experience of Africa’s top sanitation and hygiene experts to support leaders to develop tailored policies that reflect their countries’ individual realities, using tried-and-tested approaches that benefit lives.
However, for the ASPG to truly benefit African communities, we must look towards Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). CSOs have the capacity to engage, empower and represent all members of society, including those living in vulnerable situations, while holding decision-makers accountable to achieving regional and international commitments. CSOs bridge the gap between governments and their people. Civil society can play a leading role in shaping sanitation policymaking, by taking part in discussions with governments, and giving a voice to those who are not being heard. Notably, we must all work towards achieving SDG 6.2, which seeks to ensure access to safely managed sanitation for all. To ensure countries stay on track to achieve such goals, CSOs have the duty to trigger policy review or development using ASPG and ensure inclusivity and equity in access to safely managed sanitation.
Civil Society Organizations are, however, as diverse as the countries in which they operate, which presents challenges when working together across borders. The African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW) was created to remove such obstacles by promoting dialogue and enabling CSOs to share experiences to drive progress at the regional level. Pan-African organisations may have a broader reach, but we know it is the CSOs on the ground who are best placed to engage country-level decision-makers and contribute to developing the policies that societies need within the local and regional context. That is why, at ANEW, we continuously work to connect politicians and CSOs to ensure that community voices continue to be heard. We strive for an Africa where access to water is recognized as a right, where water resources and sanitation are sustainably managed and available to all.
As Africa continues to urbanise and grow, we must adapt, and so must our policies. CSOs play an important role in the sustainable development of Africa. We therefore urge CSOs across Africa to join us in advocating for the adoption and dissemination of the ASPG at the national level and monitoring the ASPG endorsement process. Together, we can ensure African sanitation policies are inclusive and respond to the guidelines by participating in national stakeholder consultations, maintaining the conversation around policy development and review, and contributing to the rollout of the ASPG framework. We will not only benefit citizens today, but we can also play a part in creating a lasting legacy: equitable access to sanitation for all.
Together, we can take steps to ensure that African sanitation policies, laws, regulations and guidelines are inclusive and take into account the needs of the people.
By Sareen Malik, Coordinator and Secretary to the Board of the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW)
L’un des plus grands défis auxquels est confronté le continent africain est la crise persistante de l’assainissement. Une personne sur trois vit encore sans installations sanitaires adéquates, ce taux passe à 3 personnes sur 4 en Afrique de l’Ouest. Des millions de personnes sont ainsi exposées à des risques sanitaires entrainant des absences de l’école ou du travail. Un assainissement inadéquat a des répercussions non seulement sur la vie quotidienne des citoyens africains, mais aussi sur leur avenir.
Ces dernières années, les pays à l’échelle de l’Afrique ont su relever les défis de l’assainissement avec des approches politiques spécifiques. Cependant l’urbanisation rapide, la rareté des ressources et les préoccupations émergentes comme COVID-19 menacent aujourd’hui de nuire aux populations vulnérables et de nous faire régresser quant aux progrès réalisés. Afin de faire converger les politiques d’assainissement disparates du continent et de s’assurer que des programmes complets et durables sont mis en œuvre, le Conseil des Ministres Africains chargés de l’Eau (AMCOW) a adopté les Directives africaines pour l’élaboration de politiques d’assainissement (ASPG). L’initiative s’appuie sur l’expertise des meilleurs spécialistes africains du secteur de l’hygiène et de l’assainissement pour aider les dirigeants à élaborer des politiques adaptées aux contextes et réalités des pays.
Toutefois, pour s’assurer que les communautés africaines bénéficient concrètement des ASPG, nous devons nous tourner vers les organisations de la société civile (OSC). Les organisations de la société civile ont la capacité d’engager, d’autonomiser et de représenter tous les membres de la société, y compris les personnes en situation de vulnérabilité, tout en tenant les décideurs responsables de la tenue de leurs engagements régionaux et internationaux. Les OSC constituent le relais entre les gouvernements et leur population. La société civile peut jouer un rôle de premier plan dans l’élaboration des politiques d’assainissement, en prenant part aux discussions avec les gouvernements, et en donnant la parole aux sans-voix. Nous devons tous contribuer à l’atteinte de la cible 6.2 des Objectifs de Développement Durable, visant à l’accès pour tous à un assainissement adéquat. En faveur de la progression des pays vers la réalisation de ces objectifs, les OSC ont le devoir d’appeler à la révision ou l’élaboration des politiques sur la base des ASPG et en exigeant un accès inclusif et équitable à des services d’assainissement adéquats.
Les organisations de la société civile sont cependant aussi diverses que les pays dans lesquels elles opèrent, ce qui représente des défis lorsqu’elles travaillent ensemble au-delà des frontières. Le Réseau Africain des organisations de la société civile sur l’Eau et l’Assainissement (ANEW) a été créé pour lever ces obstacles en favorisant le dialogue et en permettant aux OSC de partager leurs expériences pour ainsi faire progresser l’accès à l’assainissement au niveau du continent Africain. Les organisations panafricaines ont peut-être une portée plus large, mais nous savons que les OSC sur le terrain sont les mieux placées pour engager les décideurs au niveau national et contribuer à l’élaboration des politiques dont les sociétés ont besoin dans le contexte local et régional. C’est pourquoi, à ANEW, nous travaillons continuellement à la mise en relation de décideurs politiques et d’OSC afin que les voix des communautés continuent à être entendues. Nous aspirons à une Afrique où l’accès à l’assainissement est reconnu comme un droit, où les ressources en eau et l’assainissement sont gérées durablement et disponibles pour tous.
A mesure que progressent l’urbanisation et le développement du continent africain, nous devons nous adapter, et nos politiques aussi. Les OSC ont un rôle important pour le développement durable en Afrique. Nous invitons donc les organisations de la société civile à travers le continent à se joindre à nous pour soutenir l’adoption et la diffusion des ASPG au niveau national et de suivre le processus de changement de politique. Ensemble, nous pouvons faire en sorte que les politiques d’assainissement africaines soient inclusives et qu’elles prennent en compte les directives adoptées dans chaque pays. Cela en participant aux consultations nationales des parties prenantes, en alimentant le débat autour de l’élaboration et de la révision des politiques et en soutenant la diffusion des ASPG. Non seulement les citoyens en bénéficieront aujourd’hui, mais nous contribuerons aussi à l’avènement d’un objectif inestimable : l’accès équitable à l’assainissement pour tous.
Ensemble, nous pouvons faire le nécessaire pour que les politiques, les lois, les règlements et les directives africaines en matière d’assainissement soient inclusifs et prennent en compte les besoins réels de tous.
Par Sareen Malik, Coordonnatrice du Réseau africain des organisations de la société civile sur l’eau et l’assainissement (ANEW)
April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day. It provides an opportunity to focus world attention on a health problem.
World Health Day this year will be celebrated under an unprecedented threat to our daily lives: the Covid-19 pandemic. There is currently no cure but key among protection measures and means to slow down or stop the spread of the virus is the hygiene behavior of Handwashing with soap.
Handwashing with soap is an important public health activity and huge barrier to many diseases. Access to clean water is indispensable for proper handwashing. However, for many people across the world and especially in Africa, access to basic handwashing facilities with soap is still lacking. Therefore, those unserved people will see their vulnerability increased and their lives more seriously threatened by the pandemic.
For AMCOW, it is an opportune time to remind our governments that access to adequate and clean water and good sanitation and hygiene services are essential components of providing basic health service and constitute the primary drivers of public health.
This year, the tagline for World Health Day 2020 is: Support nurses and midwives.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed how poorly prepared is the global community to face a disaster of the nature and magnitude of the current coronavirus pandemic. All nations, including the so-called powerful ones, are seriously challenged. Nurses, midwives and all other caregivers are deployed at the frontline, in most cases inadequately equipped for the battle against Covid-19. They put their lives at high risk in order to save others’ lives. Their courage and dedication are commendable.
The task of nurses and midwives is very challenging and somehow frustrating where and when there is poor access to clean water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services. At AMCOW, we see the devastating impact that poor access to WASH services has on Africans’ health and ultimately on Africa’s economies and development prospects.
Indeed, according to the Joint Monitoring Programme 2019 report[1] by UNICEF and WHO, in Sub Saharan Africa 83% of healthcare facilities have no water services, 80% have no sanitation services and 49% have no hygiene services. Providing safe water, adequate toilets and hygiene in homes and health centres will prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect health staff and patients.
Governments must act now to ensure better coordination between ministries and organisations responsible for health and those leading on water, sanitation and hygiene, to ensure clean water, sanitation and hygiene are properly integrated into national healthcare policies, programmes and strategies.
At AMCOW, we have been working to improve the prioritization of water and sanitation. As part of our mandate, we have the responsibility to effectively and efficiently coordinate actions of key water and sanitation players, facilitate the strengthening of regional cooperation and transboundary water resources management and development as well as build the capacity of relevant institutions and agencies. As part of our work, the Ministers in charge of sanitation under the AfricaSan platform ensured that handwashing is paramount among the commitments they made as part of the Ngor Declarations of 2015 though pronunciation of the commitment no 6 to: “Ensure inclusive, safely-managed sanitation services and functional hand-washing facilities in public institutions and spaces (national and sub-national)”. We are working with member states to advocate for the implementation of this commitment along with others, and track and report progress.
We are also coordinating the development of the Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) which will provide the necessary guidance to enable African countries to develop WASH policies that can provide the necessary foundation for improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene services to all and, as a result, enable health systems to improve Africa’s resilience to pandemics like the COVID-19.
Health for All cannot be achieved without WASH for All. African Governments and donors must significantly and urgently increase financial resources allocated to the WASH sector and ensure that game changing policies and strategies are developed and implemented, that actions targeting the most marginalised and vulnerable people are identified.
As the nurses and midwives continue their work, with bravery, at the frontline of the fight against COVID-19, we owe support; and the most critical one is to ensure that they have unfettered and sustained access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene services so that they can focus better on saving lives and as a result contribute to the driving socio-economic development for our continent and the world at large.
[1] WASH in healthcare facilities – Global Baseline Report 2019
By Dr.Canisius Kanangire, Executive Secretary of the African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW)
The 2019 UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) report focusing on 115 countries and territories identified that while most countries have general Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) policies in place, successful implementation is hindered by a myriad of factors. Key among these are lack of adequate human and financial resources and overstretched WASH service delivery regulatory bodies that are unable to undertake the required surveillance. As evidence, less than 15% of countries reported having sufficient financial resources to implement plans, only 12% of countries reported that urban drinking-water surveillance is conducted at 100% of the required frequency and 1 in 6 countries surveyed reported a funding gap of 61% between needs and available funding.
Focusing on Africa alone, the situation is no less dire. In 2015, African ministers responsible for sanitation and hygiene in different African countries adopted what became known as the Ngor Declaration that was drafted in Senegal. The Declaration focused on universal access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene services and an end to open defecation by 2030. Five years later, there still remains a lot to be done on the continent to reach this ambitious goal. In 2019, access to basic sanitation in Africa was still under 40% with sanitation crisis estimated to cost the continent around 4.3% of GDP. 30% of the continent’s population still lack basic hand-washing facilities with soap and water and 1 out of 3 schools have no sanitation service and 2 out of 3 have no basic hygiene services.
With Africa’s urban population expected to triple by 2050, the urgency of tackling WASH issues cannot be overstated and African governments are in a race against time. By 2050, there will be 14 megacities in Africa (cities with a population of at least 10 million people), up from the current 3 (Cairo, Kinshasa and Lagos.) Any issues that are being faced now, will be greatly compounded in the years to come.
While the continent still has a long way to go, different countries have been addressing some of the issues to try and ensure that SDG 6 on the provision of clean water and sanitation can be attained.
At a policy level, work is being done to achieve the Ngor Declaration targets and SDGs at a regional level. This work is being spearheaded by The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) and its Member States, who are working to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities for more people across the continent. Their development of The Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) uses a consultative process to help governments and stakeholders set priorities and allocate resources to achieve their sanitation targets and eliminate open defecation.
When it comes to the status of WASH value chains, countries such as Senegal have realized the importance of engaging the private sector in sanitation and hygiene service delivery.Sewered sanitation even in the capital city of Dakar accounts for only 30% of homes with majority of the city’s dwellers having to rely on non-sewered sanitation. As such, the government’s delegation of certain services to the private sector is practical given they recognize that even in urban areas, they face financial and human constraints, limiting their own ability to serve the population. This has contributed to enhanced service levels and improved productivity in fecal sludge treatment plants. The government’s involvement of the private sector in improving its action plans especially those in the field of non sewered sanitation has also contributed to the promotion of sanitation by-products such as biogas, ashes and electricity. .
In Ouagadougou, only 5% of households have access to sewered sanitation. Alidou Bandé a manual emptier in Ouagadougou, interviewed by Speak up Africa – a Dakar headquartered, African policy and advocacy action tank that has one its major focus areas as sanitation – left his job as a photographer 15 years back when he realized how inadequate fecal sludge management was compromising his community’s living environment. Despite the initial stigmatization of taking on such a job, the community now realizes what a vital service he offers and he also trains his peers and communities in general on best practices around sanitation. This service that in many parts of the world is provided by governments, is one that most African countries struggle to provide even in urban areas. As such, public-private collaboration is needed for provision of sanitation services in the region.
When it comes to human & financial resourcing and systems, Ethiopia, a country that managed to reduce open defecation from 92% to 29% between 2000-2015, is now making use of investment planning (microplanning) from the bottom up to ensure that they not only have information on WASH status nationally, but also use the local needs in financial planning. Microplanning begins at the village level to establish sanitation status, requirements to reach safely managed sanitation, and the human resources available. Information is then aggregated all the way to national level to provide a full analysis of financial needs and resources. Uganda on its part, having experienced challenges in attracting and retaining sufficient numbers of qualified health workers to the sanitation and hygiene sector, carried out a comprehensive study in 2015 that led to a mass recruitment at all levels to address the deficit.
In terms of regulation and surveillance, Kenya is using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to become Open Defecation free by 2020 and to improve the provision of rural sanitation services in the country. The open source system has transformed Kenya’s rural sanitation monitoring and reporting by allowing access to data to all stakeholders, at all levels globally. The system runs analyses that generate maps, graphs and tables on trends and comparisons over time and across locations that can be exported into reports. In the next phase of the platform, global indicators including targets on basic sanitation and regional commitments will be captured, thus having a one-stop platform for planning, monitoring and reporting.
Finally, actions are being taken to make sure that no one is left behind. In Rwanda, strong political will has seen it achieve the highest annual rate of change in basic sanitation of its peers in East Africa. What is most impressive though of its government policies is the emphasis on making them extend to even rural areas. At sub-national level also, District Development Strategies reflect the prioritization of sanitation and hygiene. This is vital given that 8 out of 10 people without access to sanitation in Africa, live in rural areas. In Chad, the government realized the link between poor access to WASH services in schools and absenteeism. According to a 2017 survey by the Ministry of Education, only 23% of schools had toilets. The country carried out a study to understand the shortfalls for WASH in schools and is using the information to implement projects with technical and financial partners to improve the education system.
The road along is head for African countries but the progress being made by various countries to address WASH issues will go a long way in averting a disaster as population grows and as countries rapidly urbanize.
Ciku Kimeria is a communication consultant at Speak up Africa in Dakar, a policy and advocacy action tank focusing on various issues including sanitation, malaria, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and immunization.
The Mayors’ Forum on Advancing Citywide Inclusive Sanitation in Africa reaffirms sanitation commitments made at the FSM5/AfricaSan5 conference
Today, Mayors from across Africa reaffirmed their commitment to create and improve inclusive sanitation policies across African cities, at the 20th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition.
At the congress’ Mayors’ Forum, 12 African city leaders made commitments to strengthen City to City partnerships for advancing the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda at city level. Strategies were agreed to implement the ‘Citywide Inclusive Sanitation’ (CWIS) approach to accelerate ‘access to Sanitation for all by 2030’.
Opened by Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor of Kampala City, the Mayors’ Forum featured introductory comments from Africa Water Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a keynote address from WaterAid, and presentations from city leaders and sanitation experts. Participants also shared their practical experiences on progress made following the Cape Town 2019 Mayors’ Declaration last year, alongside panel discussions and brainstorming sessions to strengthen intercity partnerships.
The event was also attended by Political Heads of Local Authorities and cities from across Africa, development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), CEOs from the utilities and private sectors, as well as High level Government Officials.
Participants were required to commit and demonstrate political will to take an innovative approach to leverage financing and adopt technical sanitation. Discussions focused on the need to develop comprehensive approaches to improve sanitation that encompass long-term planning, technical innovation, institutional reforms and financial mobilization, to benefit the lives and health of local populations.
Sylvain Usher, Executive Director of the African Water Association (AfWA) says: “With limited financial and human resources, a changing climate and rapid unplanned urbanization, cities are struggling to cope. When it comes to sanitation in Africa, the ‘business as usual’ approach is not working, and we urge cities and Mayors to step up and take charge of sanitation. That is why, at AfWA, we are proud to host this forum, and get back on track to achieving SDG target 6.2.”
Juliana Gondwe, Mayor of Lilongwe, Malawi, adds: “Access to adequate sanitation not only benefits citizens, it supports progress on a wide range of health and economic development issues, extends lifespans and protects the urban environment, including water and food supplies. As the mayor of a rapidly growing city, I recognize that it is my duty to advocate for my people, and to best represent their interests. Mayors play a vital role for their citizens in delivering and managing services that improve lives, and without their engagement, effecting positive change would be impossible. For cities to achieve this for the WASH sector, comprehensive approaches to sanitation improvement must be made.”
The objectives of the forum aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Ngor Declaration’s goal of achieving universal access to adequate and sustainable sanitation and hygiene services and eliminate open defecation by 2030. In most African cities, over 90% of the population relies on on-site sanitation, a large proportion of which is unimproved and unsuitable. With increasingly rapid urbanisation and a younger population, the pressure on Africa’s sanitation infrastructure is increasing exponentially. Municipalities therefore have an increasingly important responsibility to provide adequate sanitation facilities to serve city needs. Poor sanitation conditions lead to public health risks ranging from disease outbreaks, pollution and deterioration of water quality, as well as negative socioeconomic outcomes.