 |
Water and Sanitation Unit
|
Water and Sanitation ActivitiesBackgroundThe WATSAN program was established in 2001, following the formulation of WATSAN strategic action plan in cooperation with the diocesans and Catholic Relief Service/Ethiopia. The objective of WATSAN program is to contribute to the effort of alleviating problems related to and lack of access to safe and adequate water and proper sanitation services contributing to health and food security. The main activities of the unit are the following. 1) Implement various WATSAN projects in collaboration with Diocesan Catholic Secretariats and other partners: a) Study and design WATSAN projects b) Construct various WATSAN schemes c) Drilling of water wells d) Rehabilitation of water wells e) Electromechanical design and installation f) Electromechanical maintenance 2) Enhance the implementation capacity of DCS through different trainings, 3) Assist DCSs in implementing various WATSAN projects 4) Coordinate the activities of the church in water and sanitation sub-sector. Working Principles of the WATSAN ProgramPrinciple of equal opportunity to all dioceses The WATSAN program holds scarce resources that are not easily accessible to the diocese social development coordination offices such as highly experienced professional staff, heavy machines such as water well drilling rigs etc. All the 10 dioceses have equally opportunities to use the capacity of central WATSAN program. Principle of financial sustainability In addition to direct project costs (drilling and construction), WATSAN program charges 5-10 % of construction and drilling costs for program sustainability allowance from dioceses (to be used for program expansion and strengthening), and enhance the implementation capacity of dioceses. Principles of Cost recovery WATSAN program has two sources of fund; revolving fund and income from project activities. The program is aimed to recover the cost of recurrent fixed costs and variable costs. The depreciation allowance that had to be deposit to replace the fixed asset costs were not considered because it is agreed that dioceses offices are exempted from the payment of depreciation cost of machinery and equipments, as they share ownership, indirectly. Even if there are a few defaulters the program covers all its costs excluding depreciation costs. As a result, WATSAN program is financially self-sufficient but not ready to replace the capital investment on machines, vehicles and other fixed assets. Strategies of implementation The problem in the water and sanitation sector is enormous and deep rooted. Therefore, unreserved participation and effort of all concerned bodies is required. ECC-SADCO works hand in hand with DCSs in all stages of the project implementation. All water and sanitation activities are undertaken in different parts of the country in collaboration with DCSs who work closely with the beneficiary communities and local government. The strategies of water and sanitation include: · Smooth and trustful cooperation of all stakeholders · Capacity Building at different levels · Integration of programs · Participatory approach · Gender responsiveness · Commitment to work with community at grass root level, etc. Priorities of intervention are in the following order: § Emergencies § Drought-prone communities and areas § Communities in water scarce areas § Food insecure communities Major achievements so far The following WATSAN programs have been executed
The unit studies, design and construction supervision of projects for Diocesan Catholic Secretariats in different parts of the country. The WATSAN projects have served a total population of about 460,400 and livestock of more than 100,000. The projects have incurred cost of Birr 9.61 million
Address:
Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat
This page was last updated on 10/10/2009 |
|
©2005 Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat |