By Tamba Borbor (Communication & Advocacy Officer WHH Sierra Leone)
Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Sierra Leone has supported the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in holding the Quarterly WASH Sector Meeting held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
In his presentation at the meeting, the WHH Head of Project for WASH, Frederick Fabba, highlighted the importance of a systems strengthening approach in the WASH sector. He explained about the significant impact of the 200 EMAS Pumps constructed in Bonthe District under the Global WASH Programme, which has increased access to clean water in remote communities.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr. Sao Kpato Hannah Isata Max-Kyne, in her keynote address stated that her Ministry is delighted to be hosting the Quarterly Meeting while stressing that the President of Sierra Leone priorities the WASH sector in achieving the objectives of the “Big Five” and the “Peoples Manifesto” by expanding their responsibility to include sanitation which is a critical part of the WASH sector.
“The Ministry has an overarching mandate to increase access to safe and portable water and to promote the provision of safe hygiene and sanitation… formulate policies and engender collaboration amongst WASH sector partners and stakeholders,” the Minister stated.
She stressed the willingness of the Government to build partnerships to achieve the country’s national development priorities.
Minister Sao Kpato went on to say that the Government has embedded as part of its target to increase access to water supply including hygiene and sanitation.
“The support of our partners including NGOs and other Agencies is very important in achieving these set targets,” the Water Resources Minister said adding that implementation is key in achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Establishing the Water Fund is critical and we are launching this very soon this month,” she further stated highlighting plans and strategies to further improve the sector.
A Representative of UNICEF, in his statement, catalogued the various interventions they have made in the WASH sector of Sierra Leone. He emphasized the commitment of the Government of Sierra to achieve the SDG 6 by 2030.
He noted that the sector faces challenges in meeting the WASH needs of the country’s population noting that just 6.5 percent of schools and 5.7 percent of health facilities enjoy access to basic WASH services.
“This meeting is an opportunity to consolidate our resources; technical, human and financial to improve the lives of children and families in Sierra Leone and I therefore call on the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and other actors to also focus on climate change and WASH to mitigate the impact,” the UNICEF Representative stated.
He committed his organization’s commitment to working with partners to increase access to sustainable water and sanitation for children and families in Sierra Leone.
The Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey, said that WASH is extremely vital in the learning environment to ensure pupils prosper physically and mentally.
He noted that without WASH facilities, learning doesn’t take place which makes their work very challenging. Minister Sackey thanked crucial partners in the WASH sector and urged that efforts are doubled to improve the sector in achieving the SDGs.
