The Androy Region celebrates achievements in water, sanitation and hygiene

Androy, 01 May 2021 - Four new drinking water supply systems inaugurated, four new municipalities benefiting from the strengthening of the Ampotaka pipeline and five municipalities freed from open defecation; these are just a few examples of advances that will allow more than 100,000 people to have access to water, hygiene and sanitation in the Androy Region.

In response to the drought affecting the area, the Malagasy Government is stepping up investments to ensure sustainable access to water through the establishment of multi-use systems: drinking water for human communities, agriculture through drip humidification technique and drinking troughs. Thus, 193 new borehole systems and five water networks have been built and 50 boreholes have been renovated since 2020, benefiting 48,000 people, in partnership with UNICEF, and in synergy with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, through the Inclusive Agriculture Transformation Programme (DEFI). These are in particular the water networks of Evaho of the Commune of Sihanamaro, Tsiabetsaka, Rural Comumune of Jafaro, Antanile, Manombo, Ankilimasy Ambany and Mikaiky Arivo Ambatomainty.

These systems produce drinking water at an acceptable price for the communities, and also water for agricultural use, in particular to develop gardening activities and livestock, thus increasing household income and their food security. In addition, new projects will be launched by the end of the year, which will allow new communities of 43,000 people to have access to drinking water. In terms of agricultural use, by July, around one hundred vegetable garden sites will be connected to human-powered pumps or solar pumps; Also for this activity, 100 other small water systems, powered by solar pumps, will also be set up. “This strategy led by the Government for the ‘Grand Sud’, through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, is in line with the spirit of the ‘Velirano 2’ aiming at access for all to drinking water. For Androy in particular, the aim is to increase the resilience of the communities in the face of drought and effects of climate change, which are strongly felt in the region,” said Minister Voahary Rakotovelomanantsoa, ​​who came specially to observe the progress made.

In addition, the connection of four communities to the Ampotaka drinking water transfer pipeline was also inaugurated, for the benefit of 6,000 inhabitants of Faux Cap Centre, Anovy Sud, Benonoka and Belitsaka, in addition to the 36 000 people already served by the Ampotaka pipeline. These water services are managed by professional private operators, upon payment of a reasonable price by users, under the control of the Regional Directorate for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, which guarantees the sustainability of these services.

In the field of hygiene, five model rural municipalities, representing 41,000 people (Sihanamaro, Marovato Befeno, Andragnanivo, Ambatosola and Behazomanga) have achieved an important step in the implementation of the "Madagasikara Madio" programme for the elimination of open defecation by the end of 2021. The Government, through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is working with partners, including UNICEF, to support local communities in eradicating this practice.

In Madagascar, 40% of the population still practice open defecation, and only 17% use basic family latrines. “The Androy Region is one of the most advanced compared to the national level; the objective is for the entire region to be freed from open defecation by the end of 2021. The certified municipalities thus opened up paths for the other municipalities of Androy to follow,” underlines the Minister of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Voahary Rakotovelomanantsoa.

In a region heavily affected by drought, to which is added the covid-19 pandemic, these achievements are important and models for the whole country. The Malagasy Government, through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, works to help the communities of Androy to have sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene. More than ever, it benefits from the support of UNICEF and its financial partners, such as the Government of Great Britain, USAID, the Government of Japan, the Government of Norway, KIWI, the Eleva Foundation and the United Nations System.