The potential role of local monitoring in changing sanitation behaviour – a case study in Nhlamankulo Urban District, Maputo (Mozambique)

Maputo is Mozambique's largest urban centre and capital of the country. At least 33% of the population, live mostly in peri-urban areas, and rely on inadequate and, in many cases, shared, sanitation facilities – in some cases serving more than 30 families.  The Urban District of Nhlamankulo contains some of the city’s most densely-populated (>200 persons/ha) unplanned areas, including the neighbourhoods where the specific case study was carried out (Chamanculo D, Aeroporto B and Unidade 7). In this pilot case study activity, WSP introduced a monitoring process in the three neighbourhoods, involving local community leaders, the lowest tier of the municipal administration, with the aim of collecting information to improve sanitation planning.  However, instead of merely informing future interventions by the authorities, the training and monitoring carried out resulted in community leaders and householders becoming spontaneously involved in improving their own conditions.  Within less than six months, the results were encouraging: in a sample of those having poor sanitation facilities at the beginning of the monitoring activity, 79% had built a new latrine, upgraded an existing one, or significantly improved the cleanliness of the latrine, halving the overall proportion of unsafe latrines from 29% to 14%.  This outcome clearly suggests a potential role for community-based monitoring in changing sanitation behaviour and improving sanitation services in peri-urban areas. Description of the Initiative

6. Potential role of local monitoring.pdf (908.9 kB)