As the world struggles with inadequate access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has spearheaded initiatives that have left a tangible difference. In Africa’s South Sudan, which is being hit by a severe water crisis, UNICEF’s WASH effort has achieved significant success. With 59% of the country’s almost 11 million people lacking access to safe drinking water, WASH activities include aggressively drilling boreholes, and transporting fresh water to communities to ensure access to safe and clean water sources thereby reducing the impact of the water crisis on vulnerable groups.
To delve into the persisting challenges in the realm of water and sanitation, Hisham Alam, the host of DevelopmentAid ’s brand new podcast series, talked to Dara Johnston, Chief of Section for Climate Resilient WASH at UNICEF in South Sudan.
Download the transcript of this episode.
With 3 billion people worldwide lacking basic hand washing facilities and 2.2 billion without access to clean water, the consequences are dire, particularly for children under five, with over 700 children dying daily due to waterborne diseases.
“If we are to reach the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, the current trend has to increase by six times for water and five times for sanitation,” Johnston notes.
He highlights that some of the achievements made in the sector in South Sudan have been reversed over the past two or three decades as climate change has taken its toll. In particular, recurrent floods are perpetuating a cycle of devastation.
“Because of the continuous flooding in South Sudan, the gains made in improving water sanitation are completely lost,” he explained.
Speaking on the gendered dimensions of water access, Johnston underscores the disproportionate burden borne by women.
“In most communities, you find that women spend a lot of time collecting water, and if the water source is far away, there are huge risks for women and risks from predators, from wild animals to humans. “They arm themselves with guns when they go to collect water because of the risks from hostile elements in the area,” he says, painting a sobering picture of the lengths to which women must go to secure water.
Furthermore, the time spent by women to fetch water could be used for other purposes, for example for childcare or employment opportunities. Girls’ education is also adversely affected as they are frequently tasked with fetching water in the mornings and evenings, potentially causing tardiness or absenteeism from school. This responsibility could also leave them with insufficient time to study in the evenings as well.
In Johnston’s narrative, the journey towards sustainable WASH solutions is fraught with challenges yet ripe with opportunities for meaningful change. By leveraging partnerships, designing innovative strategies, and developing a deep understanding of local contexts, he remains steadfast in his commitment to realizing a future where everyone has access to clean water and sanitation. This fundamental human right knows no boundaries.
Listen to our podcast to explore how poor access to water and sanitation affects the lives of millions in South Sudan. Join us to find out to what extent innovative WASH strategies can make a difference and bring more safety in the country which currently ranks as the world’s most vulnerable to climate change and among Africa’s worst hit in terms of access to water and sanitation.
