Sierra Leone’s First Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Conference, 2013.

A message from Momodu Maligi, Minister of Water Resources

The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has set itself the ambitious national policy targets of extending water supply and sanitation services to the population by 74% and 66% respectively by the year 2015. To achieve these targets requires a significant increase in the annual rate of water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) service delivery. However, as well as the imperative to do more there is also the requirement to do things better – by working in a more professional manner. Of those WASH services that have been provided it is evident from the 2012 water point mapping survey that many are unreliable. At any one time about one third of water points in Sierra Leone that are meant to be in service are not. Furthermore less than half of the constructed water points provide water all year round. Numerous issues contribute to this failure of water points (and sanitation services) to provide sustainable services and these need to be identified if corrective action is to be taken.

The First Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Performance Review Conference in Sierra Leone – to be held on the 21st and 22nd May – aims to take stock of the current levels of WASH service delivery and will place the spotlight on the challenges and opportunities that exist. A combination of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS, 2011), Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) data and Water Point Mapping Survey (2012) all provide a snapshot of the current status of WASH in Sierra Leone at a particular moment in time. However, it is also necessary for policy makers and practitioners to understand the reasons why permanence in service delivery is not being achieved. This conference will provide an opportunity to explore these reasons in greater detail and will help to identify the key requirements that Government and its WASH partners must address. For example, two requirements for sustainability include the need for continued effective backstop support to be provided to Community Management structures through Local Councils, and the need to understand full life cycle costs when planning and designing WASH interventions. This is because revenues generated by communities through various financial contribution schemes (such as revolving funds placed in community bank accounts) may be insufficient to cover the annual recurrent costs of WASH services provided.

During the conference the Ministry of Water Resources (MWR) will launch its Rural Water Supply Strategy document and set out its vision and minimum commitments for improving WASH service delivery in partnership with other central Ministries. It is evident that we all need to understand the outcomes of our interventions in the WASH sector and we need to understand the experiences of communities and end users who often take on the burden of managing water supply and sanitation services. This conference will provide an opportunity to explore alternative approaches for water supply and sanitation service delivery and to identify how we can monitor our progress towards and beyond the national policy targets.

This conference will by no means be the last word on these important issues. Yet if it can contribute to greater recognition of the challenges the WASH sector faces and point towards some important factors that can be improved upon and incorporated into national policy then it will have achieved its purpose.

We look forward to welcoming you at the conference and encourage you to tell us what your expectations are by emailing: slwashconference@gmail.com

In May 2011 the Government of Sierra Leone launched the National Water and Sanitation Policy.
The policy contains the ambitious targets of extending national water supply and sanitation coverage to 74% and 66% respectively, aligned to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In order to evaluate progress towards these important targets the Ministry of Water Resources, in partnership with other central Ministries, has organized a two-day conference on 21-22 May, 2013 to assess the current status of water and sanitation service delivery and to map out directions for change.
The Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Health and Sanitation,
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Education Science and Technology will host this landmark event. The aim of this event – the first of its kind – is to assess the current status of WASH coverage in Sierra Leone and to identify the particular challenges and opportunities that exist to accelerate access to safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable water and sanitation services.

The event will bring together all stakeholders – including national government, local councils, civil society, private sector, local communities and development partners – who play key roles in WASH service delivery. The event is also for organisations and individuals who wish to learn more about Government’s thinking and vision for water resources management, water supply, environmental sanitation and hygiene behavior in both urban and rural contexts.
The conference will address a number of themes:

• Current status of the WASH sector in Sierra Leone:

1. National policy targets;
2. Roles and responsibilities for service delivery including decentralization to local councils;
3. Water security;
4. Water supply coverage in Freetown, small towns and rural areas;
5. Sanitation demand and coverage across Sierra Leone, safe hygiene behavior practices and key institutions for provision of sanitation services
6. Monitoring indicators and the role of Water Point Mapping

• Institutional reform in the WASH sector and need for increased support to local councils
• WASH Sector financing and the coordination of sector support
• Integrating WASH planning into Local Government development planning
• How to evolve current service delivery approaches to improve impact and increase sustainability and scale
• Ensuring public accountability in the WASH sector by strengthening citizen voice in WASH service provision and promoting sector learning
• Launch of the Ministry of Water Resources’ Rural Water Supply Strategy

Of particular note are the open panel discussions to involve all sector stakeholders as well as a Youth and Children’s Forum to inspire national leaders to take appropriate action going forward. For any queries regarding the conference please contact Khadijatu Gheirawani or Verola Weekes Email: slwashconference@gmail.com

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Network in Sierra Leone (WASH-Net), has formed a new partnership with various Local Councils in the country.

The partnership is for Councilors, District Chairmen and City Mayors among other key stakeholders in the councils to join the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene advocacy drive.

In a consultative meeting held at the Freetown City Council on Thursday 28th February 2013, the Executive Secretary of WASH-Net Victor Lansana said the partnership with various local councils is to sell out the role and responsibility of WASH-Net and to get WASH Champions within the councils. He said WASH-Net is an advocacy organization working in partnership with WaterAid and the WASH Consortium. He said Councilors represent their people and therefore they must be part of developmental activities happening in their respective Wards and constituencies.

He noted NGO’s are operating in the local councils without the knowledge of the councilors adding that the partnership can serve as an eye opener for councilor to see the need why they should join the network.
He disclosed that after several assessment in the various sectors, WASH-Net have notice that much attention is not pay to water and sanitation. He expressed concerned of politician and institutions that are prioritizing WASH activities into their programmes adding said water is life and sanitation is dignity.

Chairman for Health Committee Councilor Mohamed S. Turay welcomed WASH-NET and team where he stressed on the importance of water and sanitation in the communities and country in general. He said a lot has been said about the WASH committees but with the advocacy wing a lot of impact will be made and assured of effective collaboration between both parties.

Councilors from different Committees commended WASH-Net for such brilliant idea; for especially bringing them together for the first time as non-state actors after elections. All councilors present appealed to WASH-Net continue information sharing which will help them as developmental as developmental partners.

In a related development WASH-Net also visited the Western Rural District Council at Waterloo. During the meeting similar vision was shared among councilor in attendant and other senior members of the councilor.
In his statement WASH-Net Executive Secretary Victor Lansana described the meeting as a forum to identify each other and project a good future. He explained the mandate of Civil Societies in the past and the new direction they have bent on.

He further explained in detailed the background of WASH-Net and the impacts they had made so far in the water and sanitation drive; with special reference to Mr. Musa Ansumana Soko who have been chairing this civil society advocacy process. He said “water is life and sanitation is dignity” and base on these, he said WASH-Net advocate for effect and safe drinking water in the local communities.

He cited the rampant disposal of garbage in the city and the inadequate water supply that is currently plaguing people in the country.
He further recalled that with stronger partnership with other sector stakeholders, the Network also advocated for a separate entity for water resources and today the government of Sierra Leone has adhered to establish a Water Resources Ministry and that WASH-Net role now is to work hand in glove with the new Ministry and other partners like the Local Councilors for efficient budget allocation to the sector and other health related MDA’s.

During the meeting at Waterloo Councilors from the various wards expressed their satisfaction of the meeting and at the same time showcased their past bitter experience in dealing with INGOs or and others who pose to be philanthropists.

According to councilors, NGO’s operate in the Wards without their notice and at the end the people take them to task for what they have not being part of. They encouraged all development partners to take developmental project in their Wards and Constituencies but with their active involvement. Similar visit were paid to Makeni, Bo, Kenema and other District and City Councils across the country.

Election 2012 campaign commitments

Water and sanitation must be affordable and available to all citizens of Sierra

Leone – and the Government of Sierra Leone must lead the way. This means leadership at all levels – from the President, to the Parliament, to the District Chairmen and Councilors. It means increased investment of skilled staff and funding at local levels where the responsibility to deliver services lies. It means targeting the vulnerable communities, such as women/girls and disabled people, as well as communities in their entirety.

The “I’m voting for safe water and sanitation”, led by WASH-Net Sierra Leone[i] and supported by WaterAid[ii] and the Freetown INGO Urban WASH Consortium[iii] are calling on political parties to commit to deliver the following four actions within the first year in office, as part of their election campaigns for 2012:

• Deliver on the Government’s recent global commitment[iv] to spend 1 per cent of its GDP on sanitation by 2015, with a separate budget line in the national and local council budgets, and with the vast majority of this funding going to the local level.

• Set targets for scaling up investment into water by 2015, to meet the MDG commitments on safe drinking water, with the vast majority of this funding going to the local level.

• Leave no citizen behind: Set a timetable to increase access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in line with Sierra Leone’s MDG commitments, and then beyond to reach all citizens. Ensure schools and health clinics have access to clean drinking water, and improved sanitation facilities, with separate facilities for boys and girls, and accessible facilities for disabled people.

• Involve citizens in planning and monitoring: ensure there is a structure in place for civil society to meaningfully participate in planning and monitoring for water, sanitation and hygiene services.

Why are water, sanitation and hygiene election issues?

Water, sanitation and hygiene are the cornerstone of a country’s growth and its citizen’s wellbeing. Access to water and sanitation means:

• A healthier population, which puts less burden on health services.
• An economically active population. UNDP estimates that for every $1 invested in water and sanitation, there is an $8 return in economic productivity[v]. Sierra Leone cannot afford to ignore water and sanitation.
• More children, especially girls, are likely to go to school as they are no longer spending time collecting water.
• Water not only for families and communities, but also for agriculture and industry.

Water and sanitation are also basic human rights as recognised by the United Nations – a right that Sierra Leone has committed to deliver to its citizens through its National Water and Sanitation Policy.

The water and sanitation challenge facing Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is facing big challenges with regards to water and sanitation – and urgent attention is needed if it is to meet its national and international commitments.

Long way to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Sierra Leone’s MDG targets are that by 2015 74 per cent of the population should have access to safe drinking water, and 66 per cent of the population should have access to sanitation. However, currently only 57 per cent of the population has access to safe drinking water and 40 per cent has access to improved sanitation, reducing to 13 per cent if shared latrines are not counted[vi].

Ending the public health emergency cycle: In 2012 cholera has been declared in three districts of Sierra Leone and Freetown, which is claiming lives. Diarrhoea is still the third biggest killer of children under 5 years old. All this puts additional strain on the health care system.

Ensuring facilities are accessible to all: With water and sanitation being the basics of life, health and prosperity, it is essential that water and sanitation facilities are available in schools and health centres, with separate facilities for male and females, and appropriate facilities for disabled people.

Ensuring facilities are available all year: It is critical that citizens have sustainable access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation all times of the year, at all levels. Currently many water points are either broken, or provide insufficient water during the dry season.

Change is possible

Increased access to water and sanitation is not only possible, it is essential for Sierra Leone to prosper. Encouragingly, progress is being made. There is a National Water and Sanitation Policy to direct how Sierra Leone can improve its water and sanitation management. Over the last 2 years, the implementation of Community Led Total Sanitation has meant 2,333 communities across Sierra Leone have become Open Defecation Free. The Government has also made recent commitments to increase funding for sanitation to 1 per cent by 2015, to have separate budget lines for water, sanitation and hygiene in the national budget, and to establish a Water Resources Commission and a separate Environmental Sanitation Directorate.

It is critical that Sierra Leone builds on this current momentum as it goes forward, so that Sierra Leone can thrive economically and socially. This requires political will and the investment of resources. The “I’m voting for safe water and sanitation” is calling on all political parties to show their commitment to the advancement of water and sanitation and Sierra Leone in the 2012 elections.

African countries that transition to taking a leadership role in safe water and sanitation service delivery can potentially increase access for millions of people by 2015.

• To accelerate progress, at least an additional US$6 billion a year of domestic and donor funds are needed.
• Households that invest in basic sanitation reap up to 7 times their initial investment in economic benefits, including health and access time.

As global powers debate ways to solve economic challenges, a more menacing fight is happening in East Africa, where the worst drought in decades has caused widespread hunger, deaths, and the loss of subsistence crops and livestock.

Even without drought conditions, 564 million and 326 million Africans, respectively, do not have access to improved sanitation or safe drinking water.  Women are disproportionately affected because they spend hours fetching water or seeking sanitation facilities instead of in school or working.  Lack of water and sanitation even accounts for excess mortality among girls in infancy and early childhood.

Watch slideshow on Key to Africa’s Progress in Water and Sanitation from WSP.Pathways to Progress, Water Supply and Sanitation in Sub Saharan Africa

Take a moment to read the Conference edition of AMCOW’s Country Status Overview.

Water Supply and Sanitation in Sierra Leone: Turning Finance into Services for 2015 and Beyond.