Advancing WASH in East and Central Africa: Current Initiatives, Emerging Challenges, and Innovative Solutions

Access to safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) remains a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health and sustainable development, yet it presents a significant humanitarian challenge across East and Central Africa. The region, frequently impacted by protracted conflicts, widespread displacement, and the escalating effects of climate change, faces immense pressure on its already fragile WASH infrastructure and services. Humanitarian organizations, national governments, and local communities are actively engaged in diverse WASH projects, striving to provide life-saving assistance and build long-term resilience for millions.

The humanitarian landscape in East and Central Africa is uniquely complex, with countries like South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) enduring severe and prolonged crises that continuously displace populations and destroy essential services. Simultaneously, the entire region is grappling with the harsh realities of climate change, manifesting as recurrent droughts and devastating floods that compromise water sources and sanitation facilities. This confluence of factors makes the provision of reliable WASH services an urgent and ongoing priority for the East Africa humanitarian response. More than 70 percent of the population in Eastern and Southern Africa, totaling 340 million people, lack access to basic sanitation services, with 98 million people practicing open defecation.

Current WASH Initiatives and Projects Across the Region

Humanitarian actors are implementing a myriad of WASH projects tailored to specific country contexts and needs. In Kenya, efforts are concentrated on addressing the WASH needs of urban informal settlements, communities affected by drought, and large refugee populations, particularly in areas like Dadaab. Initiatives like the Kenya-RAPID program in Garissa County focus on building climate resilience through WASH, recognizing its role in improving food and nutrition security and reversing the impacts of drought and floods. There is a significant funding gap for sanitation in Kenya, with an estimated USD 22 billion needed to meet 2030 targets, but only USD 2.3 billion currently available.

Uganda hosts the largest refugee population in Africa, necessitating substantial WASH interventions in settlements such as Bidibidi, Imvepi, and Kyaka II. Projects focus on long-term safe water coverage, including the solarization of water systems, installation of distribution pipes, and construction of inclusive water tap stands and drainable latrines for schools. Uganda is also pioneering a shift from short-term humanitarian water service models to a holistic approach that integrates refugees and host communities into national development planning for sustainable water provision. Over 30 WASH partners are working in Uganda's refugee operations, aiming to provide 15-20 liters of water per person per day.

In South Sudan and the DRC, emergency WASH activities are paramount due to ongoing conflicts and widespread displacement. Humanitarian logistics are critical here, ensuring the timely delivery of water treatment chemicals, rehabilitation materials, and hygiene kits to hard-to-reach areas. The Central African Republic (CAR), bordering the DRC, saw UNICEF and its partners provide access to safe water for nearly 100,000 vulnerable individuals in 2023, amidst persistent insecurity and natural disasters.

Ethiopia faces complex WASH challenges driven by both conflict and severe droughts. In 2024, the WASH cluster plans to target 8.8 million people with a financial requirement of US$172 million, focusing on resilient water point development and strategic borehole rehabilitation in drought-affected areas, and comprehensive WASH packages in IDP collective sites. Organizations like IOM are providing potable water through emergency water trucking, constructing new water supply schemes, and distributing water treatment chemicals.

Countries like Rwanda and Tanzania, while generally more stable, still require significant WASH interventions, particularly in rural areas and border communities. A recent East African Community (EAC) project, in partnership with IOM and GIZ, concluded in July 2024, having installed and renovated 43 handwashing facilities at points of entry across Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. This initiative reached over 6 million individuals with health promotion activities, emphasizing hygiene to prevent communicable diseases.

Emerging Challenges in WASH Humanitarian Response

The pursuit of universal WASH access in East and Central Africa is fraught with significant hurdles. Climate change represents a growing threat, with extreme weather events like prolonged droughts and devastating floods directly impacting water availability, quality, and the integrity of sanitation infrastructure. These climate shocks exacerbate water scarcity, force communities to rely on unsafe sources, and can damage improved water facilities, setting back progress. WaterAid East Africa highlights how intensified climate impacts are making it harder for the poorest people to access clean water in countries like Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Protracted crises and mass displacement strain existing WASH resources to their breaking point. Maintaining adequate WASH services in long-term refugee and Internally Displaced Person (IDP) camps requires sustained funding and innovative solutions, moving beyond short-term emergency responses. The rapid pace of urbanization in East Africa also places immense pressure on urban WASH infrastructure, particularly in informal settlements.

Funding gaps remain a perennial challenge, with humanitarian appeals often significantly underfunded, impacting the scale and sustainability of WASH interventions. Furthermore, security concerns and access restrictions, particularly in conflict-affected areas of DRC and South Sudan, complicate the delivery of aid and compromise the safety of humanitarian workers. The complexities of humanitarian logistics, from procuring specialized equipment to navigating challenging terrain for last-mile delivery, further compound these issues.

Innovative Solutions and Best Practices

Despite these challenges, the region is a hotbed of innovative solutions designed to enhance WASH service delivery and build resilience. Water purification technologies are evolving, with portable and scalable solutions making clean water accessible in remote areas. Examples include solar-powered boreholes and mobile water treatment units. The SafeWaterAfrica project, for instance, developed autonomous and decentralized systems using electrochemical oxidation to purify water, capable of producing 10 cubic meters per day for 300 people. Grundfos, a Danish manufacturer, has also implemented solar-powered water kiosks (water ATMs) in Kenya's rural communities, utilizing water cards for cashless prepayment and data collection for over 20,000 people. ORISA® water purifiers, deployed in over 50 countries, primarily in Africa, are designed for humanitarian use, filtering various water sources to eliminate microbiological contamination and combat waterborne diseases.

Community-led approaches are increasingly recognized as essential for the sustainability of WASH projects. Engaging local communities in the planning, implementation, and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities fosters ownership and ensures solutions are culturally appropriate and meet local needs. This is crucial for effective hygiene promotion, where local champions play a vital role in behavior change initiatives like handwashing with soap, which can significantly reduce diarrheal diseases. UNICEF promotes school hygiene clubs and works with governments to improve hygiene practices in households, communities, and institutions.

Digital solutions are transforming WASH monitoring and management, allowing for remote oversight of water points, real-time data collection on water quality and usage, and improved accountability. UNICEF's Sustainable WASH Innovation Hub actively seeks and scales transformative WASH solutions, including those that strengthen supportive environments for WASH small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and enhance climate-sensitive data integration into WASH programming. The concept of "WASH accounts" also aids in tracking financing to WASH, improving planning and decision-making.

Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on climate resilience through integrated WASH planning. This includes managed aquifer recharge (MAR), a low-cost solution for storing excess surface water underground during wet seasons for use during droughts, successfully implemented in other regions with potential for expansion in Africa. Strengthening local capacity through training programs for technicians and community health volunteers also ensures the long-term viability of WASH infrastructure and promotes sustained hygiene behaviors.

The Indispensable Role of Humanitarian Logistics

Effective humanitarian logistics underpins all WASH humanitarian activities in East and Central Africa. The ability to rapidly procure, transport, and distribute essential WASH supplies – from water purification tablets and hygiene kits to drilling equipment and latrine construction materials – is critical, especially in emergency contexts. Supply chain resilience is paramount, navigating poor road infrastructure, security challenges, and bureaucratic hurdles to reach vulnerable populations. Without robust logistical frameworks and skilled personnel, even the most innovative WASH technologies cannot deliver their intended impact.

Conclusion

The commitment to enhancing WASH services in East and Central Africa is unwavering, driven by the profound need for improved public health, dignity, and economic development. While the region faces formidable challenges from conflict, displacement, and climate change, collaborative efforts, innovative technologies, and a strong focus on community engagement and climate resilience are paving the way for a more water-secure future. Sustained investment, strengthened NGO partnerships, and efficient humanitarian logistics remain crucial to achieving universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, ultimately transforming lives across this dynamic and vital region.