Water, sanitation and hygiene
In the Central African Republic, UNICEF provides water and sanitation services to the more disadvantaged communities, schools and health facilities - including in emergency situations.
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Challenges
The Central Afican Republic is the country where children are most exposed to climate change and environmental degradation (UNICEF CCRI, 2021) [hyperlink]. The increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, particularly drought and heavy rainfall followed by flooding, has a negative impact on water availability and resources.
Access to water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) services remain limited in CAR. The rates of access to basic water and sanitation services are extremely low, at 36 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. This means that 2.2 million people, including one million children, have critical WASH needs.
In urban areas, many water supply networks are outdated and overwhelmed. In rural areas, there are not enough boreholes, and those that do exist regularly break down due to lack of maintenance. The population is therefore exposed to water-borne diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid fever, which are among the main causes of death among young children.
As for access to WASH in institutions, more than half of health centres and 40 per cent of schools do not have a drinking water source.
Sanitation is a major concern in urban areas, where the management of latrines and septic tanks is virtually non-existent, and where the solid waste management system falls far short of requirements. In rural areas, open defecation still predominates for more than 25 per cent of the population.
Solutions
Improving WASH access in communities.
UNICEF and its local, international and governmental NGO partners (notably SODECA and ANEA) are setting up functional, inclusive and climate change-resistant WASH facilities for children, families and institutions. In recent years, UNICEF has been installing deep wells with solar pumps and gravity-fed distribution networks
Improving access to WASH in institutions
UNICEF and its partners support institutions (schools and health centres) so that they have functional and accessible drinking water points, as well as inclusive and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities.
WASH response in emergencies
UNICEF and its partners support people, particularly children and women, affected by humanitarian crises to receive timely, quality and equitable WASH assistance. These responses save lives.
Raising awareness and promoting sanitation and hygiene
UNICEF and its partners carry out activities to promote hygiene and hand washing and are continuing to extend the coverage of Community-Led Total Sanitation in many villages. In addition, UNICEF supports the creation of local committees and management structures to ensure regular maintenance of new drinking water points.