Rehabilitation and Construction of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in rural Zimbabwe

Project completed

Zimbabwe is on the path of recovery and transition. However where millions of people remain without access to a regular supply of safe water and sanitation, the risk of renewed outbreaks of water prone diseases is high and a real threat to both public health and development. In order to improve the WASH situation in rural Zimbabwe, the UNICEF managed pooled Rural WASH Fund tackles the problem on three different levels through the 1) improvement of the WASH infrastructure 2) the development of relevant capacities and 3) the leading of a sector wide policy dialogue. This triple approach reflects SDC strategy for Zimbabwe which is supporting the WASH sector with hardware, software and through coordinated policy dialogue.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Zimbabwe
Water
Health
Drinking water and basic sanitation (WASH) (til 2016)
Water sector policy
Infectious desease
01.01.2013 - 30.06.2017
CHF 5'970'000
Background

Zimbabwe’s water supply and sanitation services collapse contributed to the 2008-2009 cholera outbreaks where officially 4,200 people died. The combination of aging equipment, inadequate and erratic power supplies to operate pumps, a shortage of skilled technicians and the lack of investment have left millions of people without access to safe water and sanitation. The imbalance between urban and rural services remains a distinctive feature. The Rural Wash is responding to this imbalance by addressing specific WASH needs in rural Zimbabwe.

Objectives

Contribute to reduce morbidity and mortality due to WASH related diseases; reduce the burden of water collection on women and girls

Target groups

400,000 vulnerable people in three districts Orphans, schoolchildren, women and men, and people affected by HIV/AIDS

Medium-term outcomes

  • Access to safe water and sanitation increased by 50% in the project zones
  • Project zones are 100% open defecation free
  • Operation and maintenance of WASH facilities established and sustainable
  • Improved national capacity for WASH sector management
  • Results

    Results from previous phases:  

    Reference group for the fund’s baseline survey has been established and drilling has started with the arriving of the Department for International Development (DFID) contribution in 2012.


    Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
    Credit area Development cooperation
    Project partners Contract partner
    United Nations Organization (UNO)
    • United Nations Children’s Fund


    Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF   5'970'000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF   5'949'757
    Project phases

    Phase 1 01.01.2013 - 30.06.2017   (Completed)