Children fetching water from borehole
FeaturedHealthHighlightTrending Story

USAID, UNICEF partner to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for 300,000 people in Northwest Nigeria

489

 

In its commitment to bolster up Nigerian government’s initiative to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States in the Northwest, the U.S. Agency International Development (USAID) has awarded $10 million (N4.1 billion) over three years to UNICEF.

The effort is geared towards improving access to safe water drinking and hygiene in the zone.

The initiative is to be managed by UNICEF will provide life-saving WASH services to more than 300,000 people in need of assistance.

The assistance will help to build community-centered approaches to deliver, operate, and manage sustainable WASH services in rural areas, as well as foster resilience in communities in collaboration with the state governments.

It will also help rebuild dilapidated infrastructure and support communities to increase access to proper sanitation, adopt proper hygiene behaviors, and improve water quality.

“USAID is dedicated to ensuring clean water for more Nigerians,” Mission Director Dr. Anne Patterson said.

“This new activity with UNICEF will help reduce waterborne diseases to keep more people, especially children, healthy.”

According to the 2019 National Outcome Routine Mapping of WASH services (WASHNORM), 30 percent of Nigerians lack access to basic water services and less than 10 percent have access to safely managed water services.

While 44 percent of Nigerians have access to basic sanitation services, 23 percent, or 46 million people, lack access to proper sanitation. Access to safe hygiene facilities nationwide is low, at 16 percent.

In Nigeria, Sokoto and Kebbi states have the lowest levels of access to basic water services at 38 percent and 39 percent, respectively.

Access to basic sanitation is also low in Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto at 35 per cent, 38 percent, and 41 per cent, respectively. Only five percent of people in Sokoto and one percent in Kebbi have access to safely managed water services.

This shortage of clean water supply, toilets, and handwashing facilities in households across Nigeria presents a formidable challenge.

Poor access to WASH services is the major cause of diarrheal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and is associated with at least 70,000 deaths in children under five each year.

Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic have also reinforced the importance of adequate and safe water, basic sanitation, and proper hygiene practices to stem the spread of the disease in developing countries, including Nigeria.

“We are extremely grateful for the timely and much-needed WASH support from the U. S. government,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s Country Representative for Nigeria.

“The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with prevailing challenges and gaps in WASH services in northwest Nigeria is detrimental to the development of children and rural communities.

“This assistance is a testament to USAID’s commitment to the children and people of Nigeria.”

READ ALSO: USAID provides two million Nigerian girls, boys skills acquisition safe spaces

Leave a comment

Related Articles

NPA firefighters extinguish APMT crane fire, no fatalities recorded

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) firefighters, with assistance from other sister agencies,...

Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala set to serve second term as WTO DG unopposed

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has confirmed that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will...

Real Madrid Back to Winning Ways with 4-0 Demolition of Osasuna

Real Madrid bounced back from consecutive home defeats to European rivals with...

Tinubu heads to Saudi Arabia for Joint Arab-Islamic Summit on Sunday 

President Bola Tinubu will leave Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,...

Anambra council chairman busted in Texas over alleged $3.3m romance scam, risks 20 years in jail

For allegedly running a $3.3 million romance scam, Franklin Nwadialo, a newly...

Port Harcourt helicopter crash: 16 days after, NSIB recovers Black Box

Sixteen days after the Port Harcourt chopper crash, the Nigerian Safety Investigation...

FCT Minister Wike appoints Lere Olayinka as Senior Assistant on Public Communication

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has...

Nov. 16 Ondo poll: 17 political parties sign peace accord

In a significant move to ensure a peaceful and violence-free gubernatorial election...

#EndBadGovernanceProtest: Reps minority caucus demands compensation for minors

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has called for compensation for minors...

Mass protest greets FCT Minister’s demolition of houses

Residents of Ruga, a settlement along Airport Road, Abuja, took to the...

Just in: Lawyers withdraw from Abuja Bolt driver’s assault case after apology

Lawyers representing Stephen Abuwatseye, the Abuja Bolt driver allegedly assaulted by House...

Remorseful Bolt driver apologizes to Abia Rep. Ikwechegh after public outburst

A Bolt driver, Stephen Abuwatseya, has apologized to a House of Representatives...

FG launches free Caesarean section initiative for Nigerian women

The Federal Government has launched a life-changing initiative, providing free Caesarean sections...

Chelsea smashes UEFA Conference League record with 8-0 thrashing of Noah

Chelsea FC made history in the UEFA Conference League, securing a staggering...

Mbappe Left Out of France Squad Amid Controversy, Injury Concerns

French national team coach Didier Deschamps has omitted Kylian Mbappe from the...

TCN confronts latest national grid failure as blackout hits Nigeria again

Bulk power restoration has started, according to the Transmission Company of Nigeria...

Arteta Gives Rice Injury Boost Ahead of Chelsea Clash

Midfielder Declan Rice will have every chance to demonstrate his fitness before...

Presidency Allays Fears Over Safety of CNG-Powered Vehicles

The Presidency has addressed concerns on the safety of Compressed Natural Gas...

Off-grid power supply: Ekiti Govt licenses 3 DisCos, 4 GenCos

In a pragmatic move to pull Ekiti State out of the failing...