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Tag: WaterAid

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Launches African Sanitation Policy Guidelines Project

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, will implement the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) Project in Enugu state. The project aims to scale up sanitation at the state level and accelerate progress towards achieving safely managed sanitation and Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for all).

The project will focus on improving sanitation and hygiene practices through policies, advocacy, and collaboration with other stakeholders. Prior to the launch, the project lead, Udochukwu Egwim, conducted advocacy visits to stakeholders to brief them about the project’s goals for the sanitation sector and get their buy-in. 

The project was officially launched on the 23rd of March, 2023 and offered a unique opportunity to enlighten stakeholders, raise media awareness, and iterate a suitable implementation strategy across the state.

Stakeholders and dignitaries present include the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Obi, Commissioner for Rural Development, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Water Resources, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, The STU Coordinator, representatives of ENRUWASSA, civil society organizations, the media among others.

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Commemorates World Water Day 2023

Enugu’s topography posits a perennial water scarcity challenge. This has led to a drastic water price hike, affecting residents’ daily lives. This scarcity affects the return of farmers, causes women and girls to walk long distance, and affect children’s education. 

About half of the state’s residents lack access to basic water services. This poor access increases poverty, poor health, and stunted growth for children. We call on stakeholders to accelerate change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.

This scarcity results in inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices. People hence result to open defecation and recycling dirty water. Using this contaminated water increases the risks of cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, and typhoid. 

As we commemorate #WorldWaterDay, under the theme, “Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis,” we draw the attention of stakeholders and the government to the perennial water scarcity Enugu residents face.

Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Small Town Unit-Ministry of Water Resources, and Igboeze North LGA WASH Unit, commemorated World Water Day in Igbo-Eze North LGA through a community stakeholder engagement.

The event aimed to trigger schools and community members on the effects of Open Defecation and raise awareness on hygiene through the Hygiene Behavioral Change exercises. Dignitaries present include commissioners from different ministries, council chairs, traditional rulers, president generals, and community and women leaders. Going forward, this sensitization engagement will help eliminate open defecation and improve the personal hygiene of the community members. 

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Unveils WASH Harmonization Plan

The success of any project is hinged on the ability of the stakeholders to liaise effectively to deliver cross-cutting solutions that will ultimately improve the lives of beneficiaries.

Understanding the importance of partnership to the growth of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Enugu state, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a WASH sector stakeholder engagement in collaboration with the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu State chapter, and Small Town Unit (STU) –Ministry of Water Resources.

The meeting’s objective was to remove sectional barriers in WASH-related interventions across the state and to harmonize and improve the dissemination of WASH activities across partners. Participants at the event include civil society organizations, government agencies, and media agencies.

The key outcome of the event was the development and endorsement of the group’s action plans which centered on the following:

Going forward, the group hopes to conduct advocacy visits to the incoming government and improve its joint efforts to consolidate progress in the WASH sector. Ultimately improving access to water and sanitation facilities in the state.

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Commemorates International Women’s Day 2023

International Women’s Day is a global day to celebrate women’s socioeconomic, cultural, and political achievements. It is also a unique opportunity for women to rally and advocate for equal treatment and representation.

South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, commemorated International Women’s Day through a radio sensitization and advocacy engagement. The topic of discussion was women’s role in managing Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) Facilities at the community level.

The guests on the show were – Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu Coordinator, Ms. Enwelum Ogechukwu, Sanitation Officer, Small Towns Unit – Ministry of Water Resources, Iyiodo Juliet, SSDO’s Head of Programs, Udochukwu Egwim, and SSDO’s WASH Officer, Obianuju Ezeike.

They all critically analyzed and discussed the topic extensively, highlighting the impact of poor access to WASH facilities on women. As well as how the lack of water in rural communities affects the girl child.

This radio sensitization served as an avenue to enlighten the public on the need for the government to build the capacity of more women in the construction and technical aspect of the water sector. And also to include more women in the management of water facilities, as this has been shown to yield better results.

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SSDO, ActionAid Nigeria Organizes Election Observer Training in Enugu State

South Saharan Social Development Organization, SSDO, participated in the 2-day training of election observers organized by ActionAid Nigeria in Enugu to build the team’s capacity and empower them with the needed skill and knowledge to observe the upcoming general elections effectively.

The aim of the training is to empower election observers to take democratic actions in the general elections and improve citizens’ election observation capacity towards promoting good governance.

The training covered details of the electoral amendment bill, electoral guidelines, Nigeria’s political economy, observers checklist sections, election observation toolkit, and how to use the ‘i-observer’ app developed by ActionAid for the election observation.

After the training, SSDO organized a 2-day step-down training for election observers in the three communities where the Local Rights Programme, LRP, is being implemented in Enugu state. Udochukwu Egwim, Head of Programs, Priye West, LRP Officer, and Perpetual Njoku, Child Sponsorship Officer, facilitated the training.