Close collaboration between UNICEF and NGOs: ADRA Madagascar, MEDAIR Madagascar and WATERAID Madagascar to improve access to water, hygiene and sanitation services

Antananarivo, 19 August, 2022 – With a view to ensuring better access to water, hygiene and sanitation services for the Malagasy population affected by humanitarian crises, new Business Continuity Plans (PCA) extending until 2023, were individually and respectively signed between UNICEF and Adra Madagascar, Medair Madagascar, Wateraid Madagascar. With a total amount of USD 2,680,000, or almost Ar 11,000,000,000, each partner has targeted specific regions and situations in order to provide immediate responses in terms of WASH. This is in line with the objective of UNICEF and MEAH (through the presidential commitment Velirano 2) which is to ensure access for all to drinking water (including in emergency situations).

Thus, ADRA Madagascar – supported by UNICEF to the tune of US$500,000 – will be UNICEF's implementation partner for seven months in the three southern regions so as to strengthen emergency WASH responses, during the Kere period. This involves supporting 50,000 direct beneficiaries, including 1,000 vulnerable people (mother-child pairs suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM)) and 5,000 indirect beneficiaries through activities such as the continuous distribution of water by truck, distribution of complete WASH kits. Also, the collaboration aims to set up a minimum WASH package for 10 health centres, including the delivery of drinking water (by tank truck), basic sanitation, hand washing, disinfectant products, soaps and awareness activities. In addition, five basic health centres will benefit from the rehabilitation of toilet blocks and the construction of new waste management systems.

From February to December 2022, UNICEF is working with Médair Madagascar to come to the aid of populations affected by cyclones Batsirai and Emnati in the Vatovavy, Fitovinany and Atsimo Atsinanana regions. With USD 1,176,435 funding, the immediate WASH needs of nearly 30,000 affected people will be met through the construction and rehabilitation of 22 sanitary blocks in basic health centres (CSB) and public primary schools (EPP), the construction of 171 family latrines, the rehabilitation of 30 water points, the distribution of complete WASH kits for 8,000 households and awareness-raising activities to promote hygiene and the preservation of drinking quality of water.

With Wateraid Madagascar, urban populations of the Communes of Fénérive-Est and Ambovombe will be supported. Over a period of 12 months, the partnership aims to improve the sanitation of the living environment and the health of more than 25,000 people, about 90 schools and basic health centres. Communes will be supported in improving the delivery of basic sanitation services, the setting up and operationalizing of faecal sludge and solid waste management systems. Treatment and recycling sites will also be set up for this purpose for the safe management of faecal sludge and household waste. 20 people who empty latrines, 20 household waste collectors and 20 other local entrepreneurs specializing in market-based sanitation will be trained and supported for their professionalization. UNICEF funding to Wateraid Madagascar amounts to nearly USD1,000,000.