UNICEF boreholes rehabilitation benefits 1,2 million people
By Staff Writer
UNICEF’s support towards the government has continued to promote community resilience to recurring shocks and hazards and ensuring sustainable drinking water services using the Drinking Water Safety and Security Planning (DWSSP) approach, benefitting 1,2 million people in 2021.
The global humanitarian’s report for Zimbabwe covering the period 2021 states that a total of 276 across seven districts were supported by UNICEF to develop plans and implement the DWSSP approach to ensure access to safe water.
“Support to 10 provincial and 51 district water and sanitation sub-committees led to improved coordination, especially around COVID-19 response and enhanced the prioritization of WASH interventions.
“The Rural WASH Information Management System is operational in 51 out of 60 rural districts 85% of target,” the report said.
During the period, the rehabilitation and construction of boreholes and piped water schemes resulted in at least basic water supply services to 1,292,834 people.
“The construction of 1,452 self-sponsored household latrines and 765 subsidized latrines for vulnerable households contributed to an additional 11,564 rural people able to use improved sanitation, and 9 villages (45% of target) now being open defecation free.
“WASH services in 457 schools benefitted 250,988 students, contributing to an increased proportion of schools with water supply – up by three per cent from five years ago to 67 per cent of schools in 2021,” the report said.
As part of the COVID-19 response, rehabilitation of water points and construction of new ones powered by solar energy or gravity resulted in 809,208 people (including 5,322 people with disabilities) using at least basic water services.
“In total, 2,737,243 people were reached with COVID-19 prevention and hygiene messages; and repair of water and sanitation facilities and the distribution of sanitary cleaning materials in 59 healthcare facilities contributed to infection prevention and control,” said the report.
In implementing the projects, UNICEF worked in partnership with 17 CSO partners and the National Action Committee for WASH on service delivery.
Under the World Bank-funded Zimbabwe Cyclone Idai Recovery Programme, UNICEF with UN Agencies, the National Government, local authorities and CSOs supported communities worked to strengthen resilience through the risk-informed Drinking Water Safety and Security Planning approach.
The US Government supported UNICEF’s COVID-19 response, including key prevention messaging.
