The partnership agreement was signed on 19 March 2024 in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Under the agreement between the Japanese and Ethiopian governments, the grant of 56 million Ethiopian birr (nearly $1 million) will be managed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which provides water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to the populations worst affected by flooding in the East African country.
These are the inhabitants of the regions of Somali, Afar, Southern Ethiopia and South-West Ethiopia. In these regions, flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rains and overflowing rivers between October and November 2023 affected around 1.5 million people. The Ethiopian authorities estimate that 632,700 people were displaced and 57 deaths were reported by 27 November 2023.
Strengthening the water and health resilience of 100,000 people
“Japan’s funding will not only support the rehabilitation of non-functional water systems affected by flooding and the expansion of existing sources to address the problem of drinking water shortages, but will also integrate the rehabilitation of Wash infrastructure in health facilities,” says UNICEF.
The aim is to strengthen the resilience of some 100,000 people, including women, girls and children, who are the most vulnerable to this natural phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change. “In the specific case of children, the restoration of Wash facilities will guarantee their survival, their development and the achievement of their full potential”, emphasises Aboubacar Kampo, UNICEF’s representative in Ethiopia.
In addition, comprehensive social behaviour change on water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) will be used to improve people’s knowledge, attitudes and practices to prevent water, sanitation and hygiene-related epidemics, in particular by promoting sustainable hygiene practices, strengthening community engagement and relying on local influencers.
Inès Magoum