Securing cost-effective, sustainable water services for refugees, host communities in Eastern Africa
The cost-savings study conducted by the Regional Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme for Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities in East Africa (RWASH), jointly implemented by UNICEF and UNHCR in partnership with KfW and BMZ, examines the development and management of water services in refugee and host communities in Itang, Gambella region, Ethiopia, and Rwamwanja, Kamwenge district, Uganda. It highlights the shift towards sustainable, integrated water supply systems, focusing on the challenges and achievements in infrastructure development, service levels and financing. The study provides insights into the complexities of ensuring effective and sustainable water supply in refugee-hosting areas. It emphasizes the importance of utility-led models, and the impact on communities, including improvements to social cohesion, offering valuable lessons for similar initiatives in other challenging environments.The management of refugee camps, particularly in regions with protracted displacement, poses complex challenges. Among these challenges, the sustainability of essential services, such as utilities, is of critical concern. In areas like the Gambella region of Ethiopia, where a large population of refugees resides, the delivery of services can be both technically difficult and financially challenging to sustain. Compounding these challenges is the presence of a significantly larger refugee population than the host community in some areas. The study highlights that water trucking is extremely expensive and comparably, piping water is a more cost-effective and climate-resilient solution. Benefits include;Significant cost savings: by (i) transitioning to a permanent water infrastructure from water trucking, (ii) moving to a water utility managed water service provision, and (iii) by investing in solarization of water pumping systems, the cost of providing water in Ethiopia dropped by 92 per cent.Improved health: by improving water quality to meet international drinking standards, and giving greater access to water overall, the health of communities was improved.Alleviation of conflict: by integrating services for refugees and host communities as the piped water system serves the whole area, this model helps to foster social cohesion.Improved service maintenance: by engaging stakeholders in the management of the water, through water committees which cover contingency planning and grievances, accountability, maintenance and continuity of service improved.
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