Faecal Sludge Management - a key complement to Sudan's ODF roadmap
The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with support from UNICEF organized a two-day national workshop (1-2 May 2019) on “Faecal Sludge Management (FSM)” in Khartoum, Sudan with participants from relevant line ministries and from 6 states, University experts, donor representatives and CSOs. The workshop dealt with the review of the FSM study for El Fasher and Zalingei towns in North and Central Darfur states; while looking at the bigger picture of FSM situation in Sudan.
The workshop assumed greater significance in the wake of the Sudan Open Defecation Free (ODF) Road map launch in 2019 and provided an opportunity to take a holistic view of household excreta management, gradually moving Sudan towards SDG-6.2 (Safely managed services) target.
In Sudan, over 28 million people rely on on-site sanitation (MICS 2014). With the implementation of the ODF roadmap, the number of household latrines will increase – with a concomitant increase in the generation of Faecal sludge. An additional 2.38 million household latrines will be constructed between 2018 and 2022 to achieve an ODF Sudan. In 2023, it is estimated that 2 million m3 of faecal sludge will be produced only by households.
There is currently inadequate information on Faecal sludge quality and characterization, and how it is disposed of. Based on the FSM study for El Fasher, it is estimated that only 16% of the Faecal sludge (FS) is emptied, with an estimated 75% of this being transported to landfill sites or similar locations, while others dumped nearby. The situation of FSM in Sudan does not seem to be too different from El Fasher town.
This workshop provided an opportunity to share and discuss the incremental (ladder) approach to FSM in Sudan. While the priority is elimination of open defecation, work on FSM could also commence, such as formalizing FS emptying operations including use of innovative emptying tools, having mix modes of transport including rickshaws and donkey carts, etc.; while also working on the enabling environment side. Private sector engagement in sanitation marketing and sanitation finance can benefit both household latrine uptake and FSM. The matrix provides a simple representation of the ladder approach - horizontally and vertically.
The impetus provided by the recent launch of the ODF Road map can be a blessing to address both Open Defecation (OD) and FS through an integrated approach. There are a number of common elements involved (fairly similar stakeholders; behaviour change communication/ public awareness; marketing/ micro finance; capacity building, etc.). The estimated cost of achieving an ODF Sudan is US$ 5 per capita per year (up to 2022), while the cost of providing FSM with basic treatment (using sludge drying beds and ponds) is an additional US$ 1.98 to US$ 2.28 per capita per year. By combining efforts, this cost could further reduce.
Clearly Elimination Open Defecation (OD) is not enough, eliminating indiscriminate dumping of Faecal sludge is equally important to derive the full health, social and economic benefits from improved sanitation. An integrated approach towards addressing OD and Faecal sludge is both feasible and makes business sense.
A lot of work still needs to be done though, as they say..........."A good beginning is half the battle won".
Executive - Water, Energy, & EHSs
5yGood beginning; developing the distributed energy systems would help, as well.