Improving Access to WASH and HIV Services in Limulunga District in Zambia

Zambia

The project aimed at improving the health status of the population through a reduction in the prevalence and incidence of waterborne diseases, through enhanced access to improved water and sanitation services. In addition, a component of HIV education was introduced for target communities. The project objectives were to reduce diarrheal risk for communities, to reduce HIV risk through community and volunteer preventative measures, and to strengthen the capacity of the National Society to deliver its assistance in a more effective and sustainable way. Mongu district is the capital of Western Province, one of the 10 provinces of Zambia. The western province is the highest hit with HIV prevalence in the country with Mongu town having the highest number of people infected with the HIV in the province. The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Mongu (16%) is mainly linked to commerce particularly the trade in fish and rice that attract many people who come from different parts of the country. The province has less economic activities, hence some young women exchange money for sex to make ends meet. The high rate of the HIV in the province has resulted in the breakdown of the social structures thereby creating social problems such as the increase in the number of orphans and the loss of young people who would otherwise be able to contribute positively to the development of the country. In response to the crisis brought about by HIV/AIDS, the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) with funding from OFID through the IFRC implemented a project that aimed at reducing the spread of the disease by carrying out activities that enhanced awareness and uptake of preventive measures among the communities that are most at risk. The project improved access to water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) services in selected communities in Limulunga and increase the knowledge about HIV in Mongu districts respectively. The WASH component focused on reducing the risk of diarrhoea in 60 villages through improved access to clean and safe water, sanitation and hygiene conditions. ZRCS implemented a three years six months Diarrhoea Reduction and HIV/AIDS Prevention Project in Limulunga and Mongu Districts of Western Province of Zambia. As part of the IFRC 2020 strategy, reducing diarrheal cases and new HIV infections will contribute to the aim of enabling healthy and safe living. Implementation of the project was done through Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA), Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST), Community Lead Total Sanitation (CLTS) and peer education approaches. The project worked closely with key partners such as Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Ministry of Education including other NGOs. It was through this network with line ministries, NGOs, local leadership and the media that made the project to be part of the collective voice advocating for WASH and HIV services at national, provincial, district and community levels. The Barotse Royal Establishment (is the monarchy of the Lozi ethnic group of western Zambia, inhabiting a region known as Barotseland) through its traditional structures also supported implementation of the project. Engagements with key partners and Government line ministries enhanced complementarity and sustainability of project activities after exit. Main achievements: 1) Improving access to clean and safe water: 10 water committees established; Chlorine distributed to 11100 people; Drilled Boreholes reached 8967 people; distributed water filters reached 2520 people 2) Improving hygiene and sanitation: Latrines constructed in schools and reached 1616 people; constructed latrines for households reached 14955 people; soap distributed in school for 3722 students; hand washing facilities in schools reached 2633 students 3) People reached with HIV prevention messages: 1300 in fishing camp; 882 in Prison, 10503 in schools.