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WASH Progarm

About the Wash Program

Zambia has one of the fastest growing and youngest populations in the world. Its urbanization rate (4.4%) is almost double the population growth rate. With the promise of higher income earnings in urban areas, Zambia has seen the mushrooming of unplanned settlements which have applied massive pressure on local authorities to ensure and provide adequate social services like decent housing, sanitation, clean and safe drinking water and a hygienic environment to mention a few. The Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, seeks to supplement Government efforts through mitigation of the highlighted challenges faced by targeted communities in the peri-urban areas of Lusaka, Kabwe and Ndola in three main ways namely improved and environmentally friendly sanitation ; upgraded supply and increased access to safe and clean drinking water and lastly sensitization and trainings to increase knowledge, skills and influence behavioral change in hygiene practices. The model of intervention ensures community participation and involvement, from initiation to completion for sustainability past the project intervention lifespan with community leadership, community members and volunteers gaining ownership and driving the process of change. The program addresses the following:
  • Increased access to improved sanitation for households
  • Increased access and reduced distances for families to a sustainable source of clean and safe portable drinking water
  • Hygiene education to change attitudes and behavior and ultimately reduce illnesses
  • Proper solid waste disposal

Since inception, we have installed 68 communal water stations , reaching out to over 61,000 individuals in Lusaka, Kabwe and Ndola’s peri-urban communities.

The model of delivery ensures that the community fully participates in the interventions as well as management of the water points.

Recently with support from Habitat Netherlands, we added an innovation of upgrading six (6) hand pumps to solar powered water points in Mapepe and Makululu communities of Lusaka and Kabwe respectively. This innovation has not only increased accessibility and reduced distance to the nearest collection point but will also ensure that there is constant supply and storage as the upgrade comes with a 10,000 liters tank and a stand.

Together, we can end the water crisis

HFHZ has with support has extended WASH interventions that aim at improving basic hygiene through community sensitization under the following themes:

  • Waste disposal
  • Usage of toilets for disposal of faecal waste
  • Basic hand hygiene
  • Installation of pour-flush toilets

COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS

The  COVID-19  as  a  global  pandemic  has  also  affected HFHZ operations  due  to  restrictions.  However,  the  positive  effect  is that the pandemic gave us an opportunity to support communities with prevention materials such as face masks, hand washing  foot- operated containers as well as water storage containers. Additionally,   HFHZ   carried   out   awareness   raising   activities through a mobile system as well as billboards, flyers, and radio appearances. A total of 58,000 individuals have so far benefited from these interventions.