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Category: HAF

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WaterAid, SSDO, NEWSAN, Organizes Election Campaign Press Conference

Enugu’s topography over the years has posited a water scarcity that has lasted for over two decades. Research shows that half of the state’s residents lack basic water services. And in 2020, the state declared a state of emergency in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector and inaugurated an 18-man committee to revamp the sector, but yet the WASH challenges in the state persist.

Understanding these challenges, WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with South Saharan Social Development Organization and The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu, organized an Electoral Campaign press conference to achieve the following:

  • Sensitize the public on the importance of WASH prioritization.
  • Garner the commitment of gubernatorial aspirants to prioritize access to efficient and equitable WASH services in the state.
  • Engage the media as pressure groups to sustain the campaign for WASH in the state.

The Enugu State Coordinator of NEWSAN read a press statement, and the coalition entertained questions from the press. Issues raised were also addressed.

The key asks by the coalition from the conference were:

  • Citizens should hold their representatives accountable for equitable and affordable WASH services.
  • Elected officials should prioritize access to efficient and equitable WASH services in their blueprint for governance.
  • Elected officials should ensure that WASH facilities are constructed and managed with sustainability.
  • The press should be advocates of WASH and, through their programs, query elected officials on WASH issues in the state.

The lack of access to water increases open defecation in communities. This pollutes the environment, contaminates water sources, and exposes the community to infectious diseases. If the WASH situation of the state is to change, then it is paramount that all residents of the state have access to potable water and sanitary facilities. Hence, the need to engage the government to improve WASH through policy and infrastructure.

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Conducts Training for Community-Based Campaign

To support the efforts of the government to halt the spread of infectious diseases such as Diarrhea, cholera, coronavirus, and other WASH-related diseases; and consolidate on the gains and wins from previous projects in Enugu state, WaterAid Nigeria and South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) conducted a practical training on Hygiene Behavior Change.

The training was designed to prepare facilitators for the community-based campaign under the Hygiene Behavior Change Coalition (HBCC) Phase II project. It covered behavior change analysis, theory of change, hand washing, food hygiene, safe use of water, and covid-19 vaccine uptake. A community session manual was used to teach the participants about the best approaches for community entry, program implementation, and creative approaches to achieve behavior change.

OBJECTIVES OF THE TRAINING

  • To acquaint facilitators with WaterAid’s Hygiene Behavior Change Approach
  • To introduce the Clean Family Campaign (Clean family, Happy family), its rituals and themes, as well as the key behaviors the campaign is trying to reinforce through surprises, fun, and exciting, attractive, and engaging games.
  • Train facilitators on the designed HBC intervention package for the HBCC II project and develop plans to roll out the pre-testing of the developed HBC tools in 8 communities in Igboeze North LGA. 
  • Conduct Pre-test intervention package for community events 1,2,3 & 4 in selected communities and Household settings and collate feedback in terms of facilitation and content of the manual.
  • To improve the content of the manual and enhance the facilitation of the community events with information gathered from the events’ pre-testing activities.

The training sessions also focused on the following points.

  • Ensured everyone understands hygiene and its importance.
  • Participants understood that a creative/innovative process is more likely to change behavior.
  • Understood the key elements of the universal behavior change approach.
  • Deliver – implementing the intervention as developed; minimize the difference between the designed ideal intervention and the actual implementation in real life.
  • Community entry strategy and how to implement it according to design
  • Making sessions participatory and interesting for community members

SSDO collaborated with CSO partners who have been part of the HBC implemented in Bauchi State to train the facilitators to have an in-depth understanding of the final HBC Package developed for the HBCC II project to be implemented at community and household levels. The participants were also guided to practically understand the finalized packages through explanations, group simulation/rehearsal, and plenary presentation towards behavior change that will prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, Diarrhea, Cholera, Lassa fever, among others, and bring dignity.

After the training, participants conducted a pre-test intervention in different communities and households to properly internalize the approach and collect feedback from the communities in a truly participatory monitoring and evaluation process. Participants include members of the Igbo-Eze WASH unit, the State Ministry of Health Epidemiology Unit, the Office of the State Director of Public Health, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, among others. 

The HBCC II project is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Unilever to combat new Covid-19 variants through hygiene behavior change, rehabilitation, and construction of Handwashing Facilities (HWFs) and support for increased COVID vaccine uptake in Bauchi and Enugu states.

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WaterAid, SSDO Engages Stakeholders (JONADWP)

To ensure a holistic and cross-cutting project intervention, beneficiaries and stakeholders must be involved. They should have their say in evaluating the most pressing needs they have.

South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a stakeholder meeting with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) at the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development.

The meeting aimed to strengthen the relationship between WaterAid, SSDO, and JONAPWD by including them in project implementation and monitoring. And also to continue facilitating disability-friendly facilities going forward.

Stakeholders present include executive members of JONAPWD, WaterAid Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning Officer, SSDO WASH Program Lead and Associate, WASH media, and a sign translator.

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Heineken Africa Foundation Phase III Project Launch

WaterAid Nigeria, in partnership with South Saharan Social Development Organization, will implement the third phase of the Heineken Africa Foundation Project. 

The project will complement the results of the first and second phases to drive hygiene promotion in response to COVID-19 using a behavior-centered design approach leveraging the mass media, advocacy, and community-based approach to reach its target audience. It will also see the installation and rehabilitation of water facilities across Enugu state. 

The project was officially launched on the 22nd of September 2022 and offered a unique opportunity to enlighten stakeholders, raise media awareness, and develop a suitable implementation strategy across the state. 

Stakeholders present include the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, ENRUWASSA, ENSUBEB, Bureau of Statistics, Economic Planning, Representative from the Ministry of Health, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment Represented, The STU Coordinator, Ministry of Rural Development, Primary HealthCare, LGA WASH Coordinator, WASH Media.

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SSDO and WaterAid Installs Handwashing Stations across Enugu state

Water is an essential commodity for survival and remains a top priority for people. Its importance cuts across all spheres of life from agriculture, livelihood, health, and more. About 50 percent of Nigerians still lack access to potable water. Enugu’s topography has even further complicated this challenge. 

In partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO is working tirelessly to improve access to water In Enugu state. We have installed 20 permanent handwashing facilities across the state in strategic locations. These include primary health centers and schools. 

Constant access to water reduces health challenges, helps keep the girl child in school, and in the long run, improves the economy. We’d continue to do our best to improve access.

The supervisory team includes the Heineken African Foundation Board Chairman, the Corporate Affairs Director for Nigerian Breweries, and the Sustainability Manager from the Headquarters of Nigerian Breweries. Also present were representatives from Ama Breweries Enugu, the Enugu State Team Lead, the Monitoring and Evaluating Officer of WaterAid Nigeria, and the WASH Program Lead for SSDO.