Why water and sanitation in sub Saharan Africa is in a crisis ABBY TAKA MGUGU ABBY TAKA MGUGU

Basic facts about sanitation in Africa Basic facts about sanitation in Africa 360 million Africans had access to improved sanitation facilities in Coverage increased from 33% in 1990 to 38% in million Africans had access to improved sanitation facilities in Coverage increased from 33% in 1990 to 38% in The African population without access to sanitation increased by 153 million, from 430 million in 1990 to 583 million in Increases in coverage are not keeping pace with population growth. The African population without access to sanitation increased by 153 million, from 430 million in 1990 to 583 million in Increases in coverage are not keeping pace with population growth. The rate at which Africans gained access to sanitation, 153 million people since 1990, is insufficient to meet the MDG sanitation target. The rate at which Africans gained access to sanitation, 153 million people since 1990, is insufficient to meet the MDG sanitation target. In 38 countries in Africa sanitation coverage is less than 50%. In 38 countries in Africa sanitation coverage is less than 50%. [ [adapted from UNICEF/WHO 2008]

Basic facts about drinking water in Africa 602 million Africans had access to improved drinking water sources in Coverage increased from 56% in 1990 to 64% in million Africans had access to improved drinking water sources in Coverage increased from 56% in 1990 to 64% in The rate at which Africans gained access to improved drinking water sources, 245 million people since 1990, falls short of that required to meet the 2015 MDG drinking water target. The rate at which Africans gained access to improved drinking water sources, 245 million people since 1990, falls short of that required to meet the 2015 MDG drinking water target. In 9 countries in Africa access to improved drinking water sources is less than 50% In 9 countries in Africa access to improved drinking water sources is less than 50% The African population without access to improved drinking water sources increased by 61 million, from 280 million in 1990 to 341 million in Increases in coverage are not keeping pace with population growth [adapted from UNICEF/WHO 2008] The African population without access to improved drinking water sources increased by 61 million, from 280 million in 1990 to 341 million in Increases in coverage are not keeping pace with population growth [adapted from UNICEF/WHO 2008]

Why such low level of access? One cannot saying that the continent is not making an effort to address the impediments in the water and sanitation sector; a few issues require attention One cannot saying that the continent is not making an effort to address the impediments in the water and sanitation sector; a few issues require attention Governance Governance Capacity Capacity Infrastructure development Infrastructure development Finances/budget Finances/budget

Governance ‘ There is enough water in the World but the problem is management and distribution’ Existence of poor or inappropriate policies that do not respond to the needs of the intended beneficiaries/citizens Existence of poor or inappropriate policies that do not respond to the needs of the intended beneficiaries/citizens Limited involvement of the citizenry in the formulation of policies hence policy framework remains abstract Limited involvement of the citizenry in the formulation of policies hence policy framework remains abstract Poor prioritisation of issues: Poor prioritisation of issues: Lack or poor harmonisation of policies and plans among and between sectors– disconnection between water and sanitation Lack or poor harmonisation of policies and plans among and between sectors– disconnection between water and sanitation Corruption in the sector Corruption in the sector Non implementation of the various international instruments – non domestication and also heavy reliance on non-binding instruments -- - safe for Governments as these do not put pressure on them to act and thus remain unaccountable; oversight is difficult as one cannot use the same instruments for accountability Non implementation of the various international instruments – non domestication and also heavy reliance on non-binding instruments -- - safe for Governments as these do not put pressure on them to act and thus remain unaccountable; oversight is difficult as one cannot use the same instruments for accountability

Capacity Governments Governments - inappropriate/weak training in IWRM of key stakeholders - inappropriate/weak training in IWRM of key stakeholders - Weak planning capacity within govts - Poor technology development– at times inappropriate to the needs of the end users [physically challenged among others] CSO - Weak understanding and interpretation of policy instruments - Weak skills in research--- compromises its oversight role esp. where funding is provided by the same governments - Lack of prioritisation

Infrastructure development SSA characterised by decaying infrastructure SSA characterised by decaying infrastructure Infrastructure not able to cope with the growing population--- demand high and supply low? Infrastructure not able to cope with the growing population--- demand high and supply low? Competing priorities --- poor and management distribution mechanisms Competing priorities --- poor and management distribution mechanisms Lack of investment plans Lack of investment plans Rural urban migration Rural urban migration

Finances/budget reduction in funding for WATSAN a sin!! WATSAN not on the top of the agenda in budget allocation: water receives more attention than sanitation WATSAN not on the top of the agenda in budget allocation: water receives more attention than sanitation Reduction in the funding of the sector a sin Reduction in the funding of the sector a sin Negative effects on development as: Negative effects on development as: - water is an engine for development - water is an engine for development - cuts across all the MDGs - cuts across all the MDGs while sanitation offers dignity and enhances health while sanitation offers dignity and enhances health

Impacts on the poor Of course I wish I were in school. I want to learn to read and write…. But how can I? My mother needs me to get water. Yeni Bazan, age 10, El Alto, Bolivia Of course I wish I were in school. I want to learn to read and write…. But how can I? My mother needs me to get water. Yeni Bazan, age 10, El Alto, Bolivia The water is not good in this pond. We collect it because we have no alternative. All the animals drink from the pond as well as the community. Because of the water we are also getting different diseases: Zenebech Jemel, Chobare Meno, Ethiopia The water is not good in this pond. We collect it because we have no alternative. All the animals drink from the pond as well as the community. Because of the water we are also getting different diseases: Zenebech Jemel, Chobare Meno, Ethiopia The conditions here are terrible. There is sewage everywhere. It pollutes our water. Most people use buckets and plastic bags for toilets. Our children suffer all the time from diarrhea and other diseases because it is so filthy. Mary Akinyi, Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya [adapted from the UNDP Development Report 2006] The conditions here are terrible. There is sewage everywhere. It pollutes our water. Most people use buckets and plastic bags for toilets. Our children suffer all the time from diarrhea and other diseases because it is so filthy. Mary Akinyi, Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya [adapted from the UNDP Development Report 2006]