Many SWA partner countries across the globe are at various stages of COVID-19 spread and are sharing with us the steps they are taking to prevent and respond to this pandemic.
SWA counts among its partners many who are working at the frontlines–both at the global level, such as WHO, UNICEF– and at the national level-through government agencies, civil society, private sector and research institutes. At the current critical time, access to reliable information, promising practices and thought leadership is crucial.
Therefore, through the live-blog, we regularly shared the approaches our partners are taking to the COVID-19 emergency, and how they are using multi-stakeholder platforms to strengthen preparedness, response and coordination. The live-blog is now closed and archived.
Pakistan: Focus on livelihood creation in response to COVID-19 and beyond
The Federal Ministry of Climate Change in Pakistan is responding to COVID-19 through series of flagship initiatives such as Clean Green Pakistan Index (CGPI), Clean Green Champions Program and a recent Green Economic Stimulus Package. These programs are being used to mobilize resources to rapidly respond to this pandemic, all this while protecting the environment and livelihoods of people. These flagship programs were launched by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, thereby, signalling a high-level mobilization on the issue.
The Clean Green Pakistan Index (CGPI) is the first-ever city-focused competition that has been conceptualized for creating a mechanism of strengthening municipal service delivery by local governments for five pillars of Clean Green Pakistan i.e. water, sanitation, hygiene, solid waste management and plantation. The CGPI is being piloted in 12 cities of Punjab and 7 cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The citizen engagement program called “Clean Green Champions” has registered around 120,000 champions (volunteers). The registered volunteers, on a self-help basis, assist in creating basic services, supporting local authorities and promoting behavioural change under Clean Green Pakistan. The Champions are also being engaged to advocate behaviour change among hard-to-reach communities to control the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan. These programs have led to an increase in budgetary allocations for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector. An overview of the overall WASH allocations for 2019-2020 and comparison with earlier year trends reflect that there has been an increase in allocation of 57% from the previous budgets.
Recently, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has approved the ‘Green Economic Stimulus’ package as part of Government’s efforts to extend green cover in the country, especially in the wake of COVID-19 crisis. As an innovative livelihood creation initiative, the Green Economic Stimulus package, will increase the daily wage job opportunities for clean and green initiatives largely around forestry in rural areas and WASH in urban centers. For 2019-20, the Green Stimulus package has generated a minimum of 65,000 jobs which will be scaled up to 200,000 by December 2020. Along with this, the Ministry of Climate Change has also launched a post-COVID response in two Union Councils of Rawalpindi (Dhook Hassoo and Dhook Syedan) to emphasize job creation around hygiene and sanitation, thereby ensuring people living in urban slums are reached with information and economic stimulus.
Bangladesh: Strategic Paper to respond to WASH issues
The Government of Bangladesh has launched a strategic paper to respond to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) issues during & after the COVID-19 Outbreak. The vision is to “limit COVID-19 transmission through safe water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) services, practices and behaviors, focusing on ensuring continuity and expanded accessibility of WASH services, which have proven to protect human health”.
The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C) seeks to achieve continuity and improve equitable access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services in response to COVID-19. To accomplish this mission, MoLGRD&C will need to swiftly adapt to changing needs and vulnerabilities while adapting processes to safely operate for both service providers and users. In coordination with the Ministries responsible for Health, Information, Education, Religious Affairs and all local, national and international stakeholders, MoLGRD&C will actively support the people in Bangladesh to consistently practice personal hygiene and handwashing in line with WHO recommendations to prevent the COVID-19 virus from spreading. This strategy will supplement the intervention areas for Risk Communication, and Infection Prevention and Control of the National Preparedness and Response Plan (NPRP) for COVID-19, Bangladesh.
Key Strategic Objectives are as follows:
Guinea: WASH sectoral group reactivated in COVID-19 response
In Guinea, the National Health Security Agency (ANSS) under the Ministry of Health has reactivated the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectoral group. The decision was taken by the Director-General of ANSS, due to the following reasons:
This WASH sectoral group brings together all government actors, civil society, the private sector and technical and financial partners. It is a framework for exchange and consultation, advocacy and resource mobilization for the preparation and implementation of the COVID-19 response.
Madagascar: Multi-sectoral Government Sanitation Plan
During the SWA webinar on 'Eliminating Inequalities in the WASH response to COVID-19', Hon. Voahary RAKOTOVELOMANANTSOA, the Minister of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene discusses how Madagascar is addressing inequalities in its WASH response to COVID-19. Here’s a brief outline:
To listen to the full presentation by Madagascar in French, click the video link below:
Peru: Emergency Decree to ensure continuity of services
During the SWA Webinar on 'Eliminating Inequalities in the WASH response to COVID-19', Max Carbajal, Sanitation Director, Ministry of Housing, Building and Sanitation discussed the steps that taken by the Government of Peru in reaching out to the most marginalized in COVID-19 response:
To listen to the full presentation in Spanish, click on the video below:
Honduras: Focusing on reconnections and sustainability
During the SWA Webinar on 'Eliminating Inequalities in the WASH response to COVID-19', Arnoldo Caraccioli, Director and Coordinator, Regulatory Body for Drinking Water and Sanitation Services (ERSAPS) discussed the following steps taken by the Government of Honduras to address inequalities in its COVID-19 response plan:
a) Water and Sanitation Service Providers shall suspend for a period of three months or until the crisis is overcome the service cuts due to lack of payment.
b) Immediately reinstall drinking water and sanitation services for those users whose service has been suspended due to lack of payment, except for those who have been connected clandestinely.
c) It is understood that, in accordance with Article 6 of the Regulation on Services, under no circumstances will there be a normal supply of free drinking water and sewerage services, nor special contracts or agreements that stipulate prices that are higher or lower than the rates that are legally in force, therefore, this transitory measure does not imply the remission of a debt.
d) It also orders the temporary suspension of tariff adjustments during the period of the Sanitary Emergency
To listen to the full presentation in Spanish, click on the video below:
Kenya: Facilitating community monitoring in COVID-19 response
During the SWA Webinar on 'Eliminating Inequalities in the WASH response to COVID-19', Eng. Kimanthi Kyengo, Acting Director– Sanitation Management and Head of Development Cooperation, Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation presented the following steps that the Kenyan Government is taking to reach the vulnerable communities:
Listen to the full presentation by the Kenyan Government, on the link below:
How Malawi is addressing inequalities in COVID-19 response
SWA Government focal point in Malawi and Director at Ministry of Water and Irrigation Development, Emma Mbalambe highlights Government's approach to identify the needs of the vulnerable population and how best to address them in a participatory manner in general and not only during COVID-19 response. Following are the key measures that the Government of Malawi is taking to eliminate inequalities in WASH response to COVID-19:
a) In Malawi, Mutual Accountability Mechanism is in place, ensuring the Government and its development partners are accountable through Joint Sector Review processes, CSO performance report and evidence from GLAAS.
b) At National and district level, the Government is making sure to include voices of interest groups, such as Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi (FEDOMA) and Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) to promote inclusive approaches. The aim is to position Malawi as a front runner in innovation on Leave No One Behind (LNOB)/Equality and Non-Discrimination (EQND) approaches to ensure everyone is served.
c) Some measures include consulting with disadvantaged people, strengthening partnerships with CSOs, working with vulnerable communities and interpreters for Finger Braille and sign language to train them on technical content to provide information in different formats to reach people with disabilities
To listen to the full presentation by Malawi, click on the link below:
Nepal: Building local capacity to reach vulnerable communities
Dr Rajit Ojha from the Ministry of Water Supply discusses how the Government of Nepal is identifying the most vulnerable populations to provide critical services during COVID-19 crisis. Some key policy measures are highlighted below:
To listen to the full presentation by Nepal Government, click on the video below:
COVID-19 response: UK Government launches Hygiene Coalition
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, Hon. Wendy Morton, MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development discussed the following steps that the UK Government is taking in other countries around COVID-19:
To listen to the full presentation by Hon. Wendy Morton, click on the video below:
Peru: Focus on ensuring continuity of WASH services
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, Hon. Julio Kosaka Harima, Deputy Minister of Building and Sanitation of the Peruvian Ministry of Housing, Building and Sanitation highlighted the following steps being taken the Government to maintain continuity of services to access water and sanitation:
To listen to the full presentation by Peru, click on the video below:
Liberia: WASH needs more attention in COVID-19 response
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, Amb. Bobby Whitfield, Chairman and CEO, National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission, Liberia discussed the following steps being taken by the Government in response to COVID-19 challenge:
To listen to the full presentation by Liberia, click on the video below:
Eswatini: Ensuring continuity and affordability of services
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, Hon. Senator Peter Bhembe, Minister for Natural Resources and Energy discusses how Eswatini is dealing with the challenges being posed by COVID-19 crisis. Following are the key points from his presentation, especially focused on the affordability of services:
Click on the link below, to watch full presentation by Eswatini:
SWA Webinar:Malawi's Finance Minister presents COVID-19 response
The Malawian Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Hon. Joseph Mwanamvekha discussed key water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions that the Government is taking in response to COVID-19. A summary below:
Click on the video below to see the full presentation from Malawi:
Nigeria: WASH response plan to combat COVID-19
The Nigerian Minister of Water Resources, Hon. Eng. Suleiman H. Adamu presented the country’s response to COVID-19 which priorities the availability of water and sanitation services to the all, especially the vulnerable. Following is a brief outline from his presentation during the SWA ministerial webinar:
To listen to the full presentation by the minister, click on the link below:
Madagascar: Subsidies and water kiosks for the most vulnerable
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, Honorable Voahary RAKOTOVELOMANANTSOA, the Madagascar Minister of water, sanitation and hygiene, outlined the following steps taken by the Government to make WASH services affordable for all during the COVID-19 crisis:
To listen to the full presentation by Madagascar available on the link below:
Colombia: Focus on low-income families in WASH response
During the SWA ministerial webinar, the Vice Minister of Water at Ministry of Housing, City and Territory, Hon. Jose Luis Acero Vergel discussed the steps taken by the Government of Colombia in response to COVID-19. A brief summary below:
To listen to the full presentation by Colombia click on the video below:
Maldives: WASH is a priority in COVID-19 response
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, the Minister of Environment, Hon. Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan talked about the impact of COVID-19 in the Maldives and the government’s response to tackling this crisis:
To listen to the full presentation by Hon. Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan, click on the video below:
Bangladesh: Massive stimulus package to combat COVID-19
The Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Hon. Md Tazul Islam has highlighted the important role of WASH in combating COVID-19 pandemic, especially in a densely populated country such as Bangladesh. During the SWA Ministerial webinar, he presented key actions taken by the Government in Bangladesh:
To listen to the full intervention by Hon. Md Tazul Islam at the SWA Ministerial webinar, click below:
Burkina Faso: WASH-focused commitments for COVID-19
During the SWA Ministerial webinar, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Hon. Nioguga Ambroise Ouedraogo presented the action plan of his ministry to respond to COVID-19 crisis in Burkina Faso. A brief summary below:
Click on the video below to see the full presentation from Burkina Faso:
Ghana: WASH action plan on COVID-19 pandemic
During the SWA Ministerial Webinar, the Ghanaian Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Cecilia Dapaah highlighted the plans that have been put in place to ensure access to water, sanitation and hygiene for all, including those informal settlements. Some of the key WASH interventions to combat COVID-19 pandemic are as follows:
1) The Government will absorb the water bills of all Ghanaians from April to June, worth approximately $40 million to support handwashing and sanitation. All the water agencies in rural, peri-urban and urban areas have been asked to provide water for free to all Ghanaians, even those who were in arrears on their water bills.
2) All water service tankers, both public and private, have been recommended to supply water to vulnerable areas and communities to ensure that minimum water requirement for each household is met. The Government continues to roll out the WHO protocols, especially on facilitating handwashing under running water with soap. All Ghanaians, especially those in the lockdown areas, have been provided with handwashing facilities and legislators are also talking about personal hygiene with their constituencies. The Community Water and Sanitation Agency under the ministry, which has the mandate to teach and educate on proper handwashing procedure, is continuing its crucial work during this pandemic.
3) The Ministry of Finance is leading on collaboration efforts with other stakeholders to ensure long term financial sustainability of service provision and leveraging resources. A $600m stimulus package has been announced by the Government and provided to Parliament. The Ministry of Sanitation is working with the finance ministry and has submitted the budget to pay for water in both urban and rural and also for the sanitation work. The ministry will continue with the agenda to provide water for all, handwashing education and sensitization and continue with the project of ending open defecation by building more household toilets.
The full presentation by Ghana on the link below:
The Gambia: Making WASH a political and financial priority
The Gambia Government has developed a National COVID-19 response plan and budget, that incorporates interventions to ensure continuity of WASH services. The World Bank has committed $10m towards supporting the Gambia Government to prepare, plan, respond and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of Fisheries and Water Resources (MoFWR) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been lobbying for some allocations towards the WASH sector to ensure services are improved during and after COVID-19.
Currently, the WASH team is engaging in the following activities to respond to COVID-19 pandemic in the Gambia:
Measures put in place for the vulnerable groups:
The Government of the Gambia has already taken a series of actions to combat the spread of COVID-19, such as establishing a National Task Force, curtailing travel, suspending large-scale gatherings aimed at mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 to the entire population. However, additional steps have been taken to 'leave no one behind':
Namibia: Focus on re-connections and relief package
On 18th March, the President of the Republic of Namibia, Hon. Dr Hage Geingob declared a state of emergency in the country following the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures have been put in place. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) is focusing on providing the critical services, especially based on food production value chain, water supply and sanitation services as well as maintaining the related infrastructure.
Recently, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has given directives to all Local Authorities and Regional Councils to re-connect all disconnected water supplies to households, even if they were in arrears. Additionally, water tankers services will be provided in remote areas. These decisions were taken to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Minister of Finance Hon. Iipumbu Shiimi has launched an Economic, Stimulus and Relief package to mitigate the impact of COVID-19.
Dr Bernhard Haufiku, former Minister of Health and Social Service, was recently appointed as the COVID-19 National Coordinator. He holds regular press briefings along with the current Minister of Health, Dr Kalumbi Shangula. There has been increased messaging on intensifying basic hygiene practices at all times. The Ministry of Health and Social Services has established a Call Centre with a toll-free number (0800100100), which operates 24/7.
Zimbabwe: WASH contingency plan for COVID-19 response
The Zimbabwe government has ramped up the COVID-19 response, by developing USD 1.35 million WASH contingency plan to respond to the pandemic. This plan has USD 265,000 for preparedness activities, USD 1.059 million for response activities and USD 30,000 for coordination.
To strengthen the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), the following activities have been planned:
Libera: SWA CEO speaks to National WASH Commission
SWA CEO Catarina de Albuquerque had a virtual meeting with Ambassador Bobby Whitfield, Chairman and CEO of the National WASH Commission of Liberia to learn from country experience on COVID-19 and to share the experience with other SWA partners. The CEO of WASH Commission is currently leading on the coordination efforts for the WASH Pillar of COVID-19 response in the country.
Key discussion points from the call:
Civil Society partnering with Government on COVID-19 response
The Civil Society Organizations working in the WASH Sector are effectively working with the national government to combat the spread of COVID-19. Recently, a meeting was held with the Legislative WASH Caucus, wherein, CSOs requested the lawmakers' to support this fight against COVID-19 through budget allocation. A joint plan of government, civil society and partners is developed under the WASH Pillar to implement activities of COVID-19 prevention and awareness.
Eswatini: Ensuring access to safe water to affected communities
The overall objective of WASH sector actors, both government and other stakeholders, in Eswatini is to ensure access to adequate safe water for the affected communities and institutions. This would help in ensuring that favourable conditions prevail for maintaining hygiene conditions and practices at the household and facilities level.
Specific Objectives for COVID-19 response:
Key Activities in COVID-19 response:
DR Congo: Facilitating access to drinking water for all
To combat COVID-19 crisis, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has issued a decree for the provision of free water in the capital city of Kinshasa until June 2020. The objective is to reinforce hygiene measures with regular handwashing. Not all districts in the city are connected to the public water distribution network and these districts are generally inhabited by the most vulnerable populations. Therefore, the Congolese government has planned tanker trucks to supply drinking water to these neighbourhoods.
A campaign to disinfect public places has also been launched by the government with the support of the private sector in the country.
Creating awareness and training on simple and effective methods of water treatment and hygiene is of paramount importance to stop the spread of COVID-19. The government is, therefore, broadcasting messages through radio, television and social networks to reinforce the messaging around hygiene and regular hand washing with soap or an alcohol-based solution to reduce the risk of contamination. To reach out to all the communities, this messaging is also be reinforced by signs, banners, and posters.
Sudan: WASH Sector response to the COVID-19 outbreak
In order to enhance the preparedness for COVID-19 outbreak, the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in Sudan has prepared and distributed Operational Guidance for WASH personnel/partners in the country. There are eight COVID-19 Strategic Plan and Response Pillars (SPRP):
a) to disseminate messages and materials in local languages and adapt to the relevant communication channels
b) to engage with existing community-based networks, media, local NGOs, schools, local governments and other sectors such, education and business using a consistent mechanism of communication
c) to establish large scale community engagement for social and behaviour change approaches to ensure preventive community and individual health and hygiene practices in line with the national public health containment recommendations
a) WPs can contribute to the training of WASH part of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for the PoE staff.
b) WPs can support in assessment, rehabilitation or installation of new WASH facilities at POE
c) WPs can be part of implementing hygiene promotion measures, ensuring supplies, print and distribute Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to travellers.
d) Contribute to safe disposal of solid and liquid wastes, disinfecting surfaces and ambulances
a) WPs to support reviewing WASH-related IPC guidance and messages for home and community care providers in local languages and adopt relevant communication channels
b) In consultation with FMOH, WHO and UNICEF, WPs to be part of the training to address any skills and performance deficits and engage trained staff with technical expertise to implement IPC activities, prioritizing based on risk assessment and local care-seeking patterns
c) WPs to support access to water and sanitation in PoEs, Isolation and treatment centres, if requested by Health Sector
d) In consultation with Federal Ministry of Health, WPs to help in monitoring of IPC WASH implementation in selected healthcare facilities and public spaces using the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework, the Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework and hand hygiene compliance observation tools and the WASH Facilities Improvement Tool.
a) Review supply chain control and management system (stockpiling, storage, security, transportation and distribution arrangements) for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) WASH and other essential supplies. Procurement of supplies to be coordinated with UNICEF, WHO, FMOH and SMOH to avoid duplication
b) If required, HR, Technical assistance (deployment of hygienists, trainers, other WASH technicians), coordination, monitoring IPC and WASH implementation in selected healthcare facilities and public spaces, including schools,will need human, material and financial resources
Central African Republic:WASH Sector active in COVID-19 response
At the national level, the response to COVID-19 is coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Population, specifically through the Operational Center for Public Health Emergencies (COUSP). The WASH sector is actively participating in the COVID-19 preparation and response plan- as the sector is considered life-saving and 'essential'.
Due to the dry season, there are water supply problems, especially in the capital city- Bangui. The Ministry of Hydraulics has defined strategies to reinforce the water supply in the city while putting in place measures to avoid contamination at the point of drawing by the users (i.e. handwashing with chlorinated water).
Here are the COVID-19 prevention messages posted everywhere and broadcasted on radio and television:
Bangladesh: Focus on ultra-poor in COVID-19 activities
SWA Civil Society partner- Water.org has planned the following activities for COVID-19 response in Bangladesh:
LAC: What Water Operators are doing to contain COVID-19
The action plan lists measures taken by 15 operators from 8 countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and Uruguay). The aim is to provide an overview of how companies (large, medium and small) are acting to guarantee service in their respective countries, where they are currently working under conditions of recommended or mandatory isolation, as stipulated by the authorities. This action plan intends to share experiences and different approaches at this exceptional time.
Malawi: WASH Cluster preparedness on COVID-19
The WASH cluster in Malawi, with the guidance from the Department of Disaster Management, has prepared a cluster response plan for COVID-19 that will cover the following activities:
The WASH cluster will be holding weekly meetings at the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development to take stock of the situation.
Colombia: Strengthening water sector to combat health emergency
The Colombian Government is taking measures to support water sector in order to combat health emergency due to COVID-19. These initiatives will ensure access and continuity of water services for Colombian households and also frequent cleaning and disinfection of public places. The following measures have been put in place:
Government is aiming to adopt these actions immediately and by May 30 all the entities that make up the sector, the municipal governments and the companies that provide public services. The latter, in turn, will ensure active and updated Emergency and Contingency Plans. With these measures, focused on citizens, the Colombian Government is expecting to prevent the spread of COVID-19, ensuring that people can stay in their homes with access to drinking water.
Nigeria: Presidential Task Force for COVID-19 response
Nigeria has set up a Presidential Task Force in response to COVID-19, with membership across frontline ministries and agencies in combating the pandemic. To create public awareness, the mass sensitization campaign has been launched through electronic, print and social media platforms.
The State Governments are ensuring water, sanitation and hygiene service delivery to support handwashing with soap as prevention to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Ethiopia:Communicating via One WASH National Program on COVID-19
To emphasize handwashing as the first line of defence against COVID-19, the government of Ethiopia has initiated a campaign led by Prime Minister in which all ministers and regional government presidents are participating.
Ethiopia is using One WASH National Program to communicate with all stakeholders, requesting them to get involved and join the collective efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency WASH Committee in the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity is looking for measures to get more financing for fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.
South Africa: WASH is the backbone for addressing COVID-19
The South African government has put water, sanitation and hygiene as key to addressing COVID-19 pandemic. Short term plans are being developed to ensure hygiene and water quality (including proper water storage) particularly in informal settlements and densely populated areas to limit the spread of this pandemic. The National Treasury has allocated R305 million for the COVID-19 response, especially for water delivery and services in informal settlements.
In terms of the institutional arrangement, the COVID-19 COMMAND CENTRE at the Department of Water, Sanitation and Human Settlements (DWS HS) is acting as the nerve centre for pandemic response in the country. The Water Research Commission, Council for Scientific Industrial Research Council (CSIR), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and municipalities are part of this Command Centre team. This governance arrangement is helping to ensure proper coordination as regular updates are provided to the minister who in turn reports to the head of the state. The government is also planning to provide innovative sanitation solutions under the leadership of the Water Research Commission.