Brian Banks’ Post

Water, sanitation, and hygiene play a huge role in our daily lives. Over the past few months, I was tasked with researching the institutional capacity and performance of donor-funded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects in Kibera informal settlement, Kenya. While focusing primarily on Kibera, one of Africa's largest informal settlements, I also considered similar settlements in neighboring countries such as Burundi. This led me to an interesting research study by Myriam Sidibe. Sidibe's work sheds light on a staggering reality: nearly a third of the global population, totaling 2 billion people, lacks access to basic sanitation facilities. Among them, 673 million individuals resort to open defecation, while hundreds of millions rely on shared facilities, making sanitation maintenance a significant challenge. During the day, 620 million children lack access to a proper toilet in their school. Rural areas lack the scale to justify a proper septic system, and urban schools cannot keep up with the demand. The toilets may exist, but due to inadequate cleaning and maintenance, they often do not function properly. Poor sanitation causes 280,000 deaths annually and leads to enormous economic losses, estimated at $200 billion annually, from stunted cognitive development in children as well as direct healthcare costs. Open defecation is particularly dangerous. Women seek privacy in fields at night, where they are most vulnerable. Sidibe mentioned that many girls miss school during menstruation due to the lack of private toilets for self-care. A comprehensive solution, through conventional means, is still a long way off. To achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, we would need to triple the current rate of investment by donors, governments, and multilateral organizations, totaling $1 trillion, said Sidibe. Cultural norms, finance, behavior change, and institutional capacity are major factors contributing to the failures of most WASH projects. Your participation in this research study is necessary in informing future efforts to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene services not only in Kibera but also in similar contexts. Please consider filling out the survey or sharing your insights in the comments section below. https://lnkd.in/dZ5SFmep

At the 14th Annual CSO Forum organized by Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET), we had the privilege of representing Acts for Water, engaging in meaningful discussions on the crucial role of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in the national development plan. The forum provided a platform to highlight how WASH initiatives are integral to achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing public health. We shared insights alongside other civil society organizations, emphasizing the potential of Market-Based WASH solutions to effectively address the challenges within this sector. Our discussions included a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the private sector and regulatory bodies such as the Ministry of Health. This collaboration underscored the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in realizing our WASH objectives. Through innovative approaches and shared commitment, we can drive significant progress in WASH implementation, ultimately contributing to national development. The dialogue fostered at this forum is a vital step towards integrating WASH more fully into policy frameworks, ensuring that every community has access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation services.

Optimizing Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Through Effective Monitoring and Evaluation WASH is vital for public health and community well-being. Here’s how Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) enhances WASH programs: Ensuring Effectiveness: M&E tracks WASH interventions, from water systems to hygiene education, ensuring they meet goals and identifying areas for improvement. Measuring Impact: Assess the impact on community health, like reduced waterborne diseases and better sanitation practices, to gauge intervention success. Promoting Accountability: M&E provides transparency for donors and beneficiaries by documenting progress and demonstrating effective resource use. Key Components: Data Collection: Accurate data on water quality and sanitation practices. Indicators: Track specific metrics like clean water access or latrine construction. Reporting and Analysis: Regular reports to understand trends and successes. Feedback Mechanisms: Engage communities for better data and intervention refinement. Challenges include data quality and resource constraints, but solutions like robust data methods and community involvement can help. For more on how M&E can enhance your WASH projects, visit Global Relief Institute or contact us at info@globalreliefinstitute.org. Together, we can drive impactful change! 🌍💧 #WASH #MonitoringAndEvaluation #GlobalReliefInstitute #PublicHealth #CommunityDevelopment

🚨 New Learning Brief: Advancing Sanitation in Remote Communities of Sierra Leone 🚨 Unsafe sanitation, hygiene, and drinking water contribute to over one million preventable deaths each year. In Sierra Leone, access to sanitation is among the lowest globally, with rural communities facing unique challenges. Our latest research, authored by Jamie Myers, Ruhil Iyer, Irene Gai, Frederick Fabba, Nafisatu Roberts, Alice Kamara, and Joseph Mansaray, examines sanitation in riverine and island communities of Bonthe District, where open defecation rates are double the national average. Key findings from the study include: ✔️ Barriers to sanitation adoption: limited infrastructure, high costs, and insufficient awareness. ✔️ Opportunities to improve access: stakeholder-driven solutions for reducing costs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing community engagement. ✔️ The need for targeted, context-sensitive approaches to achieve and sustain safely managed sanitation services in these challenging environments. This research, conducted with Welthungerhilfe (WHH), highlights practical steps to address Sierra Leone’s sanitation crisis, providing actionable insights for communities, policymakers, and market actors. 📄 Read the full learning brief: https://lnkd.in/eth5sYxj #SanitationForAll #SierraLeone #PublicHealth #DevelopmentResearch #WASH

WASHCost WASH Cost https://lnkd.in/dPzYJikZ https://lnkd.in/dPzYJikZ Understanding the cost of water and sanitation services Life-cycle costing tools https://lnkd.in/dTqfAiqT

#WASH Title:   The WASHREG approach Action Sheets  Author:   SIWI  Year:   2022 Link:    Access Reference:  These WASHREG action sheets, organized around different areas of regulation, provide rich practical guidance and multiple examples to describe how regulation can be put into practice. With more than 50 action sheets and almost 100 examples from all regions of the world, the action sheets will continue to evolve and reflect emerging experiences in the regulation of water and sanitation services.    https://lnkd.in/dtz77sQ4

The UN has just released its first-ever System-wide Strategy for Water and Sanitation, marking a pivotal moment in global water management. This groundbreaking 68-page strategy aims to: 1. Enhance Coordination: Strengthen UN system-wide support for water and sanitation priorities. 2. Drive Integrated Action: Combine security and medical expertise for comprehensive care in high-risk regions. 3. Accelerate Progress: Focus on critical areas like financing, data, innovation, and governance. Introduced at the SDG 6 Special Event on July 16, 2024, this strategy addresses the urgent need for cohesive, effective solutions to water and sanitation challenges. Read the full report here | https://lnkd.in/eGwtZjY7 🔗 #UN #waterstrategy #sanitation #globaldevelopment #chelseawater #SDG6 #watermanagement #sustainablesolutions

Publication: Sanitation and Water for All: How Can the Financing Gap Be Filled?

It is a privilege to contribute to this insightful #learning brief, a valuable resource illuminating the critical need for #accelerated #sanitation access as a fundamental human #right and public health imperative. The #Sierra Leone case study demonstrates the significant challenges faced by communities in difficult #geographical areas, such as #riverine and #island populations, in achieving sanitation access and maintaining hygienic practices. The substantial cost of #unsafe sanitation will continue to negatively impact millions without adequate #support mechanism to address the identified barriers to #use & #investments in these challenging contexts. Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) The Sanitation Learning Hub Agenda for Change Sanitation and Water for All - a UNICEF-hosted global partnership