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Gibson Mhaka
THERE is a need for the Government, donor community, and partners to prioritise interventions aimed at providing sustainable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities for children and their families in the context of El Niño response to build resilience at the community level, according to UNICEF.
In a statement UNICEF said access to safe water and improved sanitation and hygiene services are essential for ensuring children’s rights to health, nutrition, education, and protection.
The agency emphasised that increased funding would enable the implementation of innovative approaches that build community resilience to effectively mitigate the consequences of climate-related shocks, preserve development gains, and protect the well-being of children.
Access to safe water remains a challenge for communities in Zimbabwe. Only 81 percent of rural people have access to improved water sources (data 2024 – ZIMLAC). About half of the households have access to safe water less than 500 metres from home.
“Zimbabwe is currently experiencing strong and intense El Nino-induced drought, leading to water scarcity and further jeopardising access to safe water for many Zimbabwean people. Because of the drought, nearly four percent of the boreholes in the rural areas in Zimbabwe have dried up, particularly in Matabeleland South and Masvingo Provinces.
“The situation is worsening. Broken boreholes rose to more than 6 000 by August 2024. Access to safe water is also worrying in urban settings, including in Harare and Bulawayo, where water production is insufficient to cover the needs,” the statement reads in part.
According to UNICEF water scarcity increases the risk of waterborne diseases and malnutrition among children.
“It can also lead to school dropouts and child labor and increases the risk of child exploitation and abuse as children are mobilised to fetch water from far away distances, in insecure circumstances as water is sometimes collected late in the evening or early morning.
“The El Nino-induced drought reminds us of the critical nature of ensuring sustained access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to prevent and respond to climate change shocks like droughts.
“Our response cannot be limited to providing food assistance. By ensuring sustainable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, we contribute to ensuring the protection of children’s rights, including the right to health, nutrition, education, and protection.
“By providing access to safe water in communities, we build their resilience to cope with climate change-related shocks like the El Nino-induced drought and prevent child malnutrition, morbidity and mortality. With water we contribute to a sustainable future at the community level,” said UNICEF.
To respond to the water scarcity households are facing, UNICEF, as co-sector lead on water, sanitation, and hygiene with the Government, works with its partners to enhance safe water supply to communities, health facilities, and schools facing water insecurity.
UNICEF is focusing on rehabilitating existing water systems and constructing new water systems, including climate-resilient multipurpose solar-powered piped water systems that enable safe drinking, domestic, livestock, and garden water.
Additionally, UNICEF is working to increase water storage capacity at the community and institutional level and promote safe hygiene and sanitation practices and water conservation through established community health and hygiene mechanisms and mass media.
To deal with the El Nino induced drought, UNICEF appealed for US$34 million for the rehabilitation of water points and to ensure people in need are provided with access to safe water.
“While funding contributions have been limited until now, UNICEF, the Government and partners in the water, sanitation and hygiene sectors were able to set up a dashboard to track and monitor water systems in rural areas.
“More than 55 000 people in need were provided access to safe water through rehabilitating 67 boreholes and developing 15 solar piped water systems.
“Nearly 55 000 people were provided with access to critical water supplies, including water treatment chemicals, soap and water containers. 50 health clubs were installed in schools and communities to promote appropriate behavior in times of reduced access to safe water,” said UNICEF.
Online Reporter