Access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

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USAID funded hand washing station in a primary school in Bauchi State
USAID funded hand washing station in a primary school in Bauchi State

Access to improved water and sanitation is a daily challenge for most Nigerians. The problem is particularly acute in the rural Northern Nigeria, where only about 30 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This situation leads to a high prevalence of waterborne diseases, threatens the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, and contributes to low levels of school enrollment, especially among girls. USAID is partnering with Nigerian non-governmental agency Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN), through the Access to Water Sanitation and Hygiene program (WASH), to increase access for poor Nigerians to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education in 46 communities in Bauchi, Kano and Sokoto States.

USAID mobilizes community coalitions, community water, environment and sanitation committees, parent teachers associations and local water and sanitation groups and assists them to build, operate and maintain borehole hand pumps, toilet blocks, urinal blocks, hand washing stations and rain water catchment systems. In addition, USAID works with these communities to implement a hygiene program creating Environmental Health Clubs to teach healthy practices.

Working in collaboration WOFAN, State Universal Basic Education Boards, WaterAid, Rural Water and Sanitation Agencies and selected local governments, USAID takes a comprehensive approach to improving lives by building local capacity in Bauchi, Kano and Sokoto States and enabling the community to take ownership of the project. 
 
The WASH project builds on a previous Global Development Alliance with Coca Cola. The Water and Development Alliance (WADA) partnered with USAID to provide boreholes, water supply and sanitation facilities in schools and clinics in Kano and Enugu States promoting hygiene and sanitation practices in communities and among school children; training farmers, especially women in the use of sustainable agriculture and irrigation techniques.