Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ishola Michael
Published on 2024-03-21 16:44:55
The Government of the Netherlands has partnered with the Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide safe drinking water to nearly one million rural people in three states in the North-East subregion of Nigeria. This initiative, funded under the Accelerating Sanitation and Water for All (ASWA II) project by the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), aimed to improve access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the target areas.
The project, which ran from 2019 to 2023, benefited communities in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. Specifically, six local government areas within these states received support to enhance their water and sanitation infrastructure. The efforts were recognized during a program endline validation and local investment plan development meeting held in Gombe from the 19th to the 21st of March, 2024.
Through this initiative, significant progress was made in providing safe drinking water to the target populations. Additionally, 880,000 individuals transitioned from open defecation practices to utilizing safe and hygienic toilet facilities. The project also involved the construction of 500 new water facilities and the rehabilitation of 1,000 broken-down facilities. Notably, 54 schools and 38 healthcare facilities were equipped with basic WASH facilities to promote hygiene and sanitation.
During the project implementation period, three local government areas were declared open defecation-free by the National Task Group on Sanitation. These achievements not only improved the health and well-being of the communities but also contributed to reducing the prevalence of diseases like cholera.
The DGIS, responsible for cooperation policy development and funding, focuses on promoting coherence between Dutch and EU policies for developing countries. Collaborating with international organizations and civil society partners, such as NGOs and interest groups, the Netherlands works towards addressing key issues like gender equality, AIDS prevention, education, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
The impact of the ASWA II project extended beyond infrastructure improvements, as it positively influenced the livelihoods of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls. By enhancing access to essential resources like safe water and sanitation, the program not only improved health outcomes but also contributed to reducing the incidence of cholera outbreaks and mitigating the challenges faced by displaced children.
Through sustainable strategies and local investment plans, the ASWA II project set a precedent for effective collaboration between governments, international organizations, and local partners to address pressing development issues. The success of this initiative underscores the importance of prioritizing water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to enhance the quality of life and well-being in rural communities.
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