Liberia: WASH Org. Welcomes GoL’s Inclusion of Sector in its Platform

Compassion for Humanity Liberia (C4H Lib), a national non-governmental organization, has informed the government and the general public that their organization welcomed the government’s inclusion of WASH in her platform.

Weemon Jallahcole, Advocacy and communication manager for C4H Lib, also acknowledged the challenges within the sector, and “we wish to sit with all stakeholders within the sector to enable the government to achieve its overall goal.”

She said it is with great appreciation that C4H acknowledges the inclusion of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) as one of the key pillars in the government's national agenda. 

However, pillar two of President Boakai's ARREST platform rightly emphasizes the significant challenges facing WASH services in Liberia, with a substantial portion of the population lacking access to adequate toilets and sanitation facilities, resorting to defecating in open areas around communities.

Madam Jallahcole said, “The President's recognition of the dire situation regarding access to safe drinking water and sanitation services is commendable. The ARREST agenda aims to tackle these constraints, which have a profound impact on the health and development of our people.

“President Boakai's commitment to prioritizing the improvement of access to WASH facilities underscores the government's dedication to addressing this critical issue.”

According to her, Compassion for Humanity Liberia is currently engaged in implementing a project titled "Legislative Engagement to Formalize the WASH Caucus into a Standing Committee within the Legislature." 

This project, Advocacy and communication manager for C4H Lib, was made possible through funding from USAID via Population Services International (PSI) under the COUNTYWIDE SANITATION ACTIVITY (CWSA), aims to coordinate WASH sector stakeholders at both national and subnational levels to advocate for legislative engagement in formalizing the WASH Caucus into a Standing Committee within the legislature.

She said, upon establishment, this standing committee will undertake crucial policy and fiduciary responsibilities, including clarifying overlapping mandates among government WASH institutions, revising urban WASH policies, implementing accountability mechanisms, increasing the WASH Public Sector Investment Plan budget portfolio, centralizing WASH regulations, and advocating for sanitation governance.

“The project will involve various processes, including identifying additional legislators to support WASH initiatives, conducting consultations with sector actors, drafting resolutions advocating for the establishment of the standing committee, and mobilizing public and private support for WASH and sanitation initiatives,” Jallahcole added.

She continued, “Through engaging members of the Liberian parliament, mobilizing citizens' support, enhancing institutional capacity, and advocating for public funding allocation, this project aims to achieve two overarching goals: the establishment of a WASH Standing Committee within the national legislature and the strengthening of national WASH policies and practices through citizen engagement, capacity building, and budget advocacy.”

According to her, the challenges within the WASH sector, including fragmented responsibilities, the absence of a standalone sanitation policy, and weak regulation and enforcement, have contributed to Liberia's poor sanitation outcomes. Despite gradual improvements, open defecation rates remain high, posing significant public health risks. 

She further revealed that the economic impact of poor sanitation, as highlighted in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PADP), underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges. Interventions in the WASH sector have seen some progress, but access to basic drinking water and sanitation remains inadequate, especially in rural areas.

Madam Jallahcole disclosed that Liberia's progress towards achieving SDG#6 on water and sanitation is hindered by population growth and inadequate infrastructure. Urgent action is needed to address these issues and ensure access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all Liberians.

She vowed that Compassion for Humanity Liberia stands ready to collaborate with the government and all stakeholders to overcome these challenges and achieve our shared goal of improving WASH services across Liberia. “Together, we can create a healthier and more prosperous future for all Liberians.”