Since it started operations in Rwanda in 2010, WaterAid Rwanda interventions have enabled 955,000 people to have access to clean water.

WaterAid is an international not-for-profit, determined to make clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene normal for everyone, everywhere.

The milestone in Rwanda was celebrated as part of marking World Water Day on March 22, 2024.

Vestine Mukeshimana, WaterAid Rwanda Country Director, explained that the interventions particularly target the most remote communities in Rwanda.

"We started operations in Bugesera District where the government of Rwanda directed us, given that the level of access to basic services of water, sanitation, and hygiene was still low. Water access was at 25 per cent in this district and it has now increased to 75 per cent thanks to our interventions.

"In collaboration with government, private sector, and other partners WaterAid Rwanda designed different projects in Bugesera before extending the interventions to other districts such as Nyagatare, Nyamagabe, Kirehe, and Rwamagana,” she said.

In addition to 955, 000 people who got access to clean water, 245,620 people got decent toilets to guarantee sanitation and hygiene.

"Education campaign about sanitation and hygiene has reached 2.2 million people. We also played an important role in preparing and reviewing policies about clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in partnership with ministries of infrastructure, health, and education,” she noted.

WaterAid Rwanda also partnered in establishing a system that is used in monitoring the progress of the increase in access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

"This enables us to have data on such progress. We participated in streaming planning for water, sanitation, and hygiene targets. Currently, all 27 rural districts have their planning and the cost it will take for each district to ensure universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. We piloted such planning in Bugesera and it was replicated in other districts by other partners.”

She said WaterAid Rwanda participated in availing safe rooms for girls at schools as the organisation seeks gender-responsive water, sanitation, and hygiene services for all Rwandans.

As World Water Day is celebrated, WaterAid said there is a need for enhanced interventions to ensure universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

"There is a need for a strong system to ensure the sustainability of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. We have projects but the private sector should also invest in water, sanitation, and

hygiene services. Citizens and local leaders who are beneficiaries must have ownership to ensure the sustainability of the facilities. We need more innovations and collaboration for sustainable universal access.

"We are proud of our role in building systems in water, sanitation, and hygiene over the past years. WaterAid Rwanda started by helping to establish and support district staff in charge of water sanitation and hygiene in Bugesera District. Thereafter, other districts hired staff in charge of water, sanitation, and hygiene,” Mukeshimana added.

£17 million strategy

Mukeshimana said the new £17 million strategy from 2023 to 2028 entails two complementary programmes in line with WaterAid global aims.

The first focuses on achieving universal, sustainable, and safe access in specific geographic areas to influence wider change, whilst the second focuses on the prioritisation and integration of WASH across the health sector to improve public health in Rwanda.

This strategy builds on WaterAid’s experience over 13 years in the country, working with the Government of Rwanda and other actors on WASH targets.

"We want to contribute to universal access to water targets in Rwanda. In the next five years, we want all schools, health facilities, households, and ECDs, to have access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in Bugesera District. When the approach becomes possible, it will drive broader positive change. We will work with partners such as local government, community, non-governmental organisations and civil societies, and the central government to achieve the goal.” she noted.

WaterAid will also place emphasis on integrating WASH into the health sector to enhance public health outcomes throughout Rwanda.

"Water, sanitation, and hygiene are paramount since it reduces the cost of health treatment. The services curb diseases caused by unclean water, poor sanitation, and poor hygiene. Patients suffering from other diseases cannot recover or can delay in recovering when they drink unclean water or when they are exposed to poor hygiene and sanitation while being hospitalised,” Mukeshimana noted.

To implement the new strategy, WaterAid will build meaningful partnerships and alliances, engage communities, and create WASH champions with an emphasis on women, youth, and persons with disability.

The move is based on evidence of a lack of access to suitable sanitation for those with limited mobility and for menstruating women and girls in 94 per cent of healthcare facilities and only 73 per cent offer basic water services.

Rwanda has set ambitious targets for access to WASH for all residents by 2030 which WaterAid is contributing to for its achievement.

"WASH services will also help eliminate about 11 neglected tropical diseases in Rwanda,” she noted.

The innovative technologies in rainwater harvesting and treatment up to drinkable water in schools is a best practice that the government and other players can adopt and scale up according to WaterAid Rwanda.

Under the new five-year strategy, in terms of policies, WaterAid Rwanda will shift its efforts away from policy development and review to strengthening the monitoring of policy implementation, with special attention to climate resilience, gender responsiveness, and inclusiveness.

Other major shifts will be to empower youth for improved participation and championship of the WASH sector.

It will also provide them with a conducive environment and options for capacity development such as internships, research, and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

WaterAid Rwanda's interventions are in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation (SDG 6) which seeks to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all.

"As the world continues to face climate change effects such as floods, dry spells, landslides, and others, it is necessary to build water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure that are resilient. For sustainability, the private sector must play a role while beneficiaries must have ownership of the facilities. We will also amplify our work with communities and promote community-led WASH initiatives while creating WASH champions. Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services is a right of everyone,” Mukeshimana added.