The urgency is increasing to achieve one of the most basic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – ensuring access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services for all by the 2030 deadline, according to Charles Wentzel, disaster response director at ForAfrika.
With only six years left, ForAfrika, the largest African humanitarian development organization, is working tirelessly to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to as many people as possible in the countries where it operates: Angola, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, and Uganda. The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations to address social, economic, and environmental challenges and promote sustainable development worldwide by 2030.
“In all our projects, we collaborate with other development organizations to ensure efficient resource allocation and avoid duplication. However, our most crucial focus is working with communities to align the services we assist them with to their own goals and aspirations,” Wentzel explains ahead of World Water Day on 22 March.
In 2023, ForAfrika provided WASH services to 463,191 individuals, including the installation of 140 wells, 448 handwashing stations, and 2,392 toilets. Over its 40 years of operation, it has estimated to have drilled 4,250 wells.
The United Nations has warned that by 2030, water scarcity may displace up to 700 million people in Africa, underscoring the urgent need for effective solutions to combat this crisis. Predictions suggest that by 2025, 460 million people in Africa will reside in water-stressed areas, with nearly half of the continent’s projected population of 1.45 billion facing water stress or shortage.
ForAfrika has gained valuable insights through its experience in providing WASH services, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters like cyclones and in conflict-stricken regions, Wentzel notes.
One key lesson learned is the necessity of working closely with communities to understand their needs and long-term plans, ensuring that any services or resources provided align with their bigger picture. “Establishing a water committee within a community to oversee access and maintenance of installed resources and equipment is vital. Community ownership is crucial for the sustainability of a project or installation,” adds Wentzel.
Having qualified technical staff managing water access operations and fostering collaboration among development organizations to prevent oversupply or oversight of resources and services are also critical.
Climate experts predict a worsening water scarcity situation in Africa, a continent already facing significant challenges in this regard. Horn of Africa countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are currently experiencing their sixth consecutive failed rainy season, leading to severe hunger affecting 13 million people in these nations and the Somaliland region.
“Africa is our home. We aim to ensure that every person in Africa has access to WASH services and enjoys food security, which is partly reliant on available water for irrigation. This immense challenge requires continuous effort,” Wentzel stresses.