WASH

Most of the progress made in achieving equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all was reversed when Cyclone Idai destroyed WASH infrastructure. ZIRP sought to improve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and reduce open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations.

UNICEF, the technical partner under this component, worked on strengthening the adoption of safe hygiene practices using the Participatory Health and Hygiene Education (PHHE) approach; and fostering sustainability and resilience through WASH operation and maintenance and drinking water safety and security planning.

Results as of 31 January 2023

3,255

Households have constructed latrines

40,173

Households have restored access to water and sanitation services

259,704

People provided with access to safe drinking water through water supply interventions

465

Water systems rehabilitated/constructed (270 boreholes, 30 springs, 77 deep wells, 42 piped water schemes)

24,392

School beneficiaries with increased access to sanitation and handwashing stations

432

Communities trained on Drinking Water and Safety Security Plan

94

Sanitation Facilities (squat holes) constructed in health centres with hand-washing facilities

429

Sanitation Facilities (squat holes) constructed in schools with hand-washing facilities

Beneficiary Quotes

“We lost relatives because of cholera but now chances of contracting it are very slim and things are looking good for us. We used to walk at least 2km to fetch drinking water but now I think it is only 15 metres away and we are very happy,” Mrs Gweshengwe, Muranda Village

“I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how I can build a toilet for my family because I did not have money to buy cement. But when the World Bank came, they helped by giving me two bags of cement, mesh wire and the money to pay builders. Right now my family and I own a toilet,” Rekai Mukamba, Sauromba Village

‘’I am one of the latrine builders who was trained under the ZIRP project in ward 17. I was also taught the importance of having latrines and how to convince the communities without latrines to build latrines. I am doing my best to convince those without latrines, and I am building latrines for them. This is my 5th self-sponsored latrine and I have more people waiting for me to construct their latrines for only US$30. At this household I am constructing a double compartment for US$60. My hope is to see every household in my community with a toilet so that we are free from diseases.” Farai Mutsinze

“Our toilets were destroyed by Cyclone Idai and that is when we realised that children living with disabilities were not catered for in schools when it comes to sanitation before the cyclone, but now, through the intervention of Zimbabwe Idai Recovery Project, everyone is now catered for,” Gorden Chikoo, Ndakopa Primary School teacher