About the Wash Program
Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene-WASH in Zambia is still low. About 40% and 70% have no access to safe water and sanitation respectively (JMP, 2019 report). The program is meant to contribute to improved health and wellbeing of the local people through increased access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. To date, more than 60 water points have been constructed serving 15,120 individuals with clean and safe drinking water
Zambia has one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in the world. Its urbanization rate (4.4%) is almost double the population growth rate. With the promise of higher income earnings in urban areas, Zambia has seen the mushrooming of unplanned settlements which have applied massive pressure on local authorities to ensure and provide adequate social services like decent housing, sanitation, clean and safe drinking water and a hygienic environment to mention a few. The Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, seeks to supplement Government efforts through mitigation of the highlighted challenges faced by targeted communities in the peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Kabwe and Ndola in three main ways namely improved and environmentally friendly sanitation ; upgraded supply and increased access to safe and clean drinking water and lastly sensitization and trainings to increase knowledge, skills and influence behavioral change in hygiene practices. The model of intervention ensures community participation and involvement, from initiation to completion for sustainability past the project intervention lifespan with community leadership, community members and volunteers gaining ownership and driving the process of change. The program addresses the following:
- Increased access to improved sanitation for households
- Increased access and reduced distances for families to a sustainable source of clean and safe portable drinking water
- Hygiene education to change attitudes and behavior and ultimately reduce illnesses
- Proper solid waste disposal
Since inception, we have installed 68 communal water stations , reaching out to over 61,000 individuals in Lusaka, Kabwe and Ndola’s peri-urban communities.
The model of delivery ensures that the community fully participates in the interventions as well as management of the water points.
Recently with support from Habitat Netherlands, we added an innovation of upgrading six (6) hand pumps to solar powered water points in Mapepe and Makululu communities of Lusaka and Kabwe respectively. This innovation has not only increased accessibility and reduced distance to the nearest collection point but will also ensure that there is constant supply and storage as the upgrade comes with a 10,000 liters tank and a stand.
Together, we can end the water crisis
HFHZ has with support has extended WASH interventions that aim at improving basic hygiene through community sensitization under the following themes:
- Waste disposal
- Usage of toilets for disposal of faecal waste
- Basic hand hygiene
- Installation of pour-flush toilets
COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS
The COVID-19 as a global pandemic has also affected HFHZ operations due to restrictions. However, the positive effect is that the pandemic gave us an opportunity to support communities with prevention materials such as face masks, hand washing foot- operated containers as well as water storage containers. Additionally, HFHZ carried out awareness raising activities through a mobile system as well as billboards, flyers, and radio appearances. A total of 58,000 individuals have so far benefited from these interventions.