Action
The goal of the WASH programme is to contribute to an improvement in the number of people benefiting from improved water and sanitation facilities. This is aligned with the National Rural Water Sanitation Strategic Framework as approved by the National Water Council and Millennium Development Goal 7 on environmental sustainability, in particular the reduction by half of the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. The principal objectives of the programme are to:
The WASH programme, as in other UNICEF supported programmes, is building the capacity of partners. The programme advocates for the establishment of dedicated Rural Water Supply and Sanitation institutions for service delivery and community mobilisation, monitoring and planning of programme at State and Local Government levels. The capacity of the State and Local Government Area (LGA) agencies has been strengthened to observe due processes in applying standard contracting procedures for service delivery. The programme also contributes to setting up a viable monitoring information system for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and helps in finalising the programme monitoring software and training of trainers. In collaboration with the Education sector, a technical guide for the design and construction of standard school sanitation facilities has been developed. At Local Government level, Water and Sanitation units are capacitated to support community mechanics to maintain the water supply sources. In addition, UNICEF has adopted a community-based approach by supporting the Water and Sanitation Committees at community level in all focus areas. The skills of these community members - over 25 per cent of which are women - are enhanced through adequate training and education programmes for management of water and sanitation facilities as well as hygiene and sanitation promotion. In line with the village level operation and maintenance concept, skills of private community artisans are being developed through series of training in operation and maintenance of hand-pumps. These artisans are being equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain hand-pumps on a commercial basis and in agreement with communities and concerned Local Government Areas. UNICEF supports Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies and Water and Sanitation Departments in States and Local Government Areas to sensitise and mobilise communities using participatory techniques to promote the use of latrines at household level and eliminate open defecation. Private artisans are equally being trained in latrine construction. UNICEF is also ensuring that adequate policies are adopted to create a supportive and enabling environment for children. UNICEF provided support for the technical committee that developed the policy on National Drinking Water Quality Standard, which is aimed at facilitating the establishment of a regulatory framework on drinking water quality in Nigeria. In 2007, the Council of Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) adopted a new water quality standard. A plan of action was also developed for the implementation of the standard and skills of personnel at State level. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme advocates and supports an integrated approach to improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene in order to achieve positive results on health. Information, education and communication (IEC) materials have been produced for hygiene education at community level and hand-washing campaigns were launched in various States during the past two years to raise community awareness on improved hygiene practices and knowledge. Particular attention is given to hygiene education in schools, training of teachers and students and the establishment of School Environmental Health Clubs and applying child-to-child approach for effective student/child/community role in support and promotion of safe hygiene practices among their peers and within their community. UNICEF has also been a key player in the Guinea Worm Eradication programme in Nigeria. The skills of village based health workers in affected States have been enhanced for case surveillance, containment and community training and awareness. UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme has assisted Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies and Water and Sanitation Departments to provide improved water sources equipped with hand-pumps and help with the construction of water harvesting mechanisms in areas where groundwater is either too deep or not available. The programme is also supporting establishment of effective village level operation and maintenance in Guinea Worm endemic communities to ensure immediate repair of dysfunctional water sources. UNICEF also assists in the National Onchocerciasis - River Blindness- Control programme and supplies drugs for distribution to river blindness endemic communities. The organisation also builds the capacity of partners for effective planning and monitoring through training, advocacy and visits to States.
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