WATERAID ZAMBIA CALLS FOR WASH INVESTMENT

By Daily News Reporter 

WaterAid Zambia has called for urgent increased investment in sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services in Zambia.

Speaking during at the signing ceremony in Lusaka, WaterAid Zambia Country Director Yankho Mataya stated that 32% of households lack basic water access, 64% lack basic sanitation, 82% lack basic hygiene, and 13% of healthcare facilities have no water service.

She further said that they is need to address the deficits as part of a complex WASH ecosystem involving various actors at community, institutional, and subnational levels.  

This signing ceremony of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was between the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), and WaterAid Zambia.

"We have reached over 3 million people in more than 40 years of work in Zambia and are committed to strengthening institutions and capacity development," Mataya added.  

She stressed that financing is vital for long-term operation and maintenance of water services, ensuring sustainability beyond initial capital investments.  

With a focus on inclusive service delivery, Mataya pledged to work alongside government and communities to ensure nobody is left behind, especially women and children who are disproportionately affected.  

Meanwhile, Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary Engineer Romas Kamanga described the signing as a significant milestone marking a new chapter in cooperation towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 and Zambia’s Vision 2030.  

He emphasised that clean water and sanitation are foundational to public health, economic growth, and human dignity, extending beyond infrastructure to include institutional capacity building.  

Mr Kamanga also added that the ministry is committed to have a collaborative efforts in implementing innovative water technologies, data-driven decision-making, and robust sector performance reviews to enhance outcomes.  

"This memorandum represents mutual trust and a clear roadmap for working together across all levels, from national to provincial and district," he said.  

He further said that they is need to have a renewed commitment to make the partnership a shining example of government, civil society, and development partners united for a common cause.  

And Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Permanent Secretary Dr Gabriel Pollen, Director for Rural Development, Engineer Fanizani Phiri expressed pleasure that the collaboration will enhance the capacity of local authorities to effectively manage rural water and sanitation services.  

He emphasised the importance of empowering local staff to ensure rural communities are not left behind and highlighted collaboration on policy, capacity building, and urban-rural planning.  

"This memorandum will produce tangible results as we build bridges and share knowledge to transform rural communities and improve lives," Phiri said.  

He called for innovative and inclusive approaches, urging all sectors and stakeholders to work together towards lasting positive change.  

Phiri thanked all partners for their commitment and underlined the unity of purpose essential to achieving collective goal.