BY TEWODROS KASSA
Access to clean water and sanitation remains an unresolved challenge in the developing countries. The growing shortage of clean water, fastest population growth, lack of enough funding to the sector, among others; are exacerbating the problem. Indisputably, failing to fulfill access to clean water and sanitation causes different health problems in the African continent. Worse than that, the problem causes deaths of numerous children and women; that can be avoided easily through provision of effective services.
In this regard, the Ethiopian government has been working in collaboration with pertinent stakeholders to address the challenge and improve access to clean water and sanitation in the urban and rural areas.
Recently, the UN 2023 Water Conference, in which numerous heads of states and all stakeholders participated, was held in New York. The Conference was convened by the UN General Assembly. The Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Tajikistan, co-hosts of the Conference, are committed to making the Conference a watershed moment that will bring stakeholders from all sectors together and will create a global momentum for accelerated implementation and improved impact to advance the broad challenges surrounding water. The Conference’s Water Action Agenda encourages Member States and other stakeholders across all sectors, industries, and interest group to make voluntary commitments to address global water challenges.
On the sidelines of the UN Water Conference, African Heads of State committed to five new Presidential Compacts which will accelerate access to water and sanitation services, including increasing budget allocations, reducing open defecation and delivering climate-resilient services.
These commitments were announced by President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana, President George Manneh Weah of Liberia, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda and President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
They will be supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, UNICEF, SWA and IRC WASH. The announcement took place at a meeting hosted by The Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is also a co-host of the UN Water Conference. Other conveners of the meeting were UNICEF, the UN-hosted Sanitation and Water for All global partnership (SWA), and think-tank IRC WASH.
In the presence of King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands, during the opening of the event, Liesje Schreinemacher Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of The Netherlands expressed her commitment. She said: “following the lead of national governments, and through our partners UNICEF, SWA and IRC WASH, we support resilient national water, sanitation and hygiene systems capable of delivering safe and sustainable services to all.” On the occasion, Ethiopia announced Presidential Compact on Water and Sanitation.
In a press release sent to The Ethiopian Herald during the UN Water Conference held Wednesday in New York, President Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia announced her plans to draft a Presidential Compact on Water and Sanitation.
The Compact includes plans to revise the loan policy and directives to accommodate loan access for water and sanitation for businesses and consumers. It will also strengthen accountability among water and sanitation stakeholders (policymakers, service providers and the community) and development partners through establishing a strong accountability framework which aligns with the ONEWASH National Program.
Therefore, the Presidential Compact announced by President Sahle-Work will revise the loan policy and directives to accommodate loan access for water and sanitation for businesses and consumers. It will also strengthen accountability among water and sanitation stakeholders (policymakers, service providers and the community) and development partners through establishing a strong accountability framework which aligns with the ONEWASH National Program.
Sanitation and Water for All global partnership (SWA) CEO Catarina de Albuquerque on her part said: “We are so pleased and encouraged to see these government leaders stepping up, committing, prioritizing water and sanitation at the highest levels and taking action and accountability for the human rights to water and sanitation.
The only way to make sustainable change is through the political prioritization at the highest level that we see here today. SWA commits to mobilize our more than 350 partners to support and learn from these Presidential Compacts. Our vision is that these announcements will inspire other countries around the world.”
Moreover, CEO of IRC WASH Patrick Moriarty said: “As an organization, we have long championed the transformation of national systems to deliver the human right to safe water and sanitation for everyone, everywhere, and forever. Yet, we also know that a truly transformative agenda for national systems strengthening can only follow visionary national leadership – from the highest political level. What we have seen today in this room is an inspiring example of such visionary political leadership and we commit to follow and support it in whatever ways we can.”
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), worldwide 844 million people lack access to drinking water, and 2.3 billion do not have access to latrines or other basic sanitation facilities. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are among the leading causes of death for children under 5.
Without access to clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene facilities, children face an increased risk of preventable diseases, malnutrition and other critical health issues. Accordingly, through targeted water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) construction projects, UNICEF works to bring clean water, essential sanitation and hygiene facilities to homes, schools and health centers so that children can grow and learn in a safe environment.
The Ethiopian Herald March 26/2023
