ZimWASH: addressing the water and sanitation needs of the rural poor in the context of HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe

The core of the ZimWASH project will be the building of capacity of civil society organisations and local governments at district level for the integrated planning and provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services. Particular attention will be given to mainstreaming livelihoods issues into the planning cycle. This will be done, for example, by looking at the water needs of the rural poor for their livelihoods and providing services that are responsive to these needs, e.g. by providing systems which allow the irrigation of nutritional gardens and bring in water for cattle. The special needs of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS will be considered in this as well. The project will give direct support in the provision of WASH services to around 500,000 Zimbabweans in six districts. More importantly, by building the capacity at district level, it is expected that a multiplier effect will take place, and that the livelihoods approach can be replicated. Documentation of lessons learnt and dissemination within the sector are also important components. The project will run for five years and is funded by the EU Water Facility, with co-funding provided by UNICEF Zimbabwe. The project will be implemented by a partnership consisting of UNICEF Zimbabwe, the Mvuramanzi Trust, the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development (IWSD) and IRC. More information is available on the UNICEF web site.