The Dowa District executive council committee has approved a one year project Dowa Integrated Water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene project aimed at increasing access to safe water and improving sanitation in the district.
The project will be implemented by the United Purpose (UP) which has partnered with Charity Water to conduct post Open Defecation Free (ODF).
During ODF celebrations, T/A Chiwere and council chair separately requested for well-wishers to mobilise funding to sustain ODF success with improved access safe water.
The DI_ WASH project will support the ongoing water mapping project and Health Centre Improvement project in the district.
Recently, the UP concluded a sanitation and hygiene project that saw it working with other partners to declare entire Dowa, Open Defecation Free (ODF).
UP’s WASH Monitoring, Evaluation, Learnings and Reporting coordinator based in Lilongwe, Ketrina Mhango, said the project has a goal of increasing access for 55,243 people to improved water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the proposed T/As of Dzoole ( West), Chiwere( East), Mponela Rural( West) and Mkukula ( East).
Mhango said with a population of 732,343 as in 2008 Population and Housing Census, Dowa has the lowest rate of improved water access in Malawi at 65.9%, only 18% of the population have improved latrines with 33% having access to hand washing facilities.
She said UP consulted Dowa District Environmental Health Officer and partners such as Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, World Vision Malawi, World Relief and Inter Aide in developing the proposed project and has ensured that the choice of the four T/As is in line with the district plans and priorities for the Dowa people.
The Specialist said the project will work in the proposed interventions such as water supply, community and school sanitation and hygiene promotion which will be achieved with support of decentralisation structures at local levels and field level joint planning, implementation and monitoring which will enhance participation and hence, sustainability of achievements.
