Innovative Approach in Response to the Challenges of Equity to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Ethiopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Inadequate access to WASH in households, schools, and health facilities in rural villages impact health and educational outcomes of children. In respect to this challenge Ethiopia has made significant efforts over the past decade to reduce the inequalities in WASH services. This study aims to explore and present how the WASH programme became successful and impacted the health and education of children in the COVID-19 pandemic era. METHODS: A gray literature based study was conducted to document secondary analysis of national and international reference publications on WASH from 1999 to present time. RESULTS:In Ethiopia rural areas are among the most poorly served in WASH, which comprises about 80.5 million out of the total 110 million population. In 1999 about 13% of the rural population was served with safe water and only 6% had access to adequate sanitation. In 2017 access to safe water increased to 56% and sanitation to 24%. There had been significant improvement in WASH services in rural health facilities and schools although there is more to be done, in areas affected by drought and water scarcity. The major contributing factor to this achievement was the launching of the ONE WASH National Programme by the government in 2013. Under this programme the equitable and sustainable supply of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation for the neglected population was brought under one management with full participation of all stakeholders by creating consolidated WASH account where funds allocated for WASH by government and external partners were kept and disbursed on priority basis. New innovative approach for community training and education was introduced and the application of low cost water and sanitation technology was promoted. CONCLUSIONS:The delivery of WASH under one management in partnership with government, external partner, the private sector and the communities has proven to be effective and innovative. KEYWORDS: Environmental justice, community outreach, Ethiopia