ZimWASH: addressing the water and sanitation needs of the rural poor in Zimbabwe
The ZimWASH project aimed to build capacity of civil society organisations and local governments at district level for the integrated planning and provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services.
The project provided WASH services to around 500,000 Zimbabweans in six districts. Particular attention was given to mainstreaming livelihoods issues into the planning cycle, 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 received consideration in this as well.
In addition, an important component of the project was to build the capacity of the districts, particularly the District Water and Sanitation Sub-Committees (DWSSC). Documentation of lessons learnt and dissemination within the sector were also important components.
The project ran from 2006-2011, and was funded by the EU Water Facility, with co-funding provided by UNICEF Zimbabwe. The project was 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 project website. This folder contains some of the key publications that IRC contributed to.
Strengthening planning for rural WASH services provision in a humanitarian context in Zimbabwe
19 Apr 12
This working paper describes the approach of the project to strengthening districts' capacities for planning WASH services, and the outcomes of that process. It also discusses the limitations experienced by the humanitarian context in Zimbabwe at the time.
Read more or download 11_Working_paper_strengthening_planning_for_WASH_in_Zimbabwe.pdf (181.6 kB)
Research study on capacity for community based management (CBM)
19 Apr 12
This report brings together lessons learnt from an assessment of the capacity for Community-Based Management in two of the ZimWASH districts. It highlights both the limitations of the capacity at community level, and of districts in providing support to community-based organisations.
Read more or download 9_Synthesis_Report_for_Zaka_&_Chegutu.pdf (647.4 kB)
Rapid assessment cholera preparedness and response in relation to WASH
19 Apr 12
This report provides an assessment of the preparedness and response to the 2008 cholera outbreak in 3 of the ZimWASH districts, in relation to WASH services provision.
Read more or download 8_Synthesis_Report_Chegutu_Chipinge_Zaka.pdf (190.5 kB)
Guidelines for planning for Water for Livelihoods
19 Apr 12
This guideline has been developed for MUS projects in Zimbabwe. It aims to help addressing water for livelihoods in a structured way in different steps of the project cycle. It is geared towards district level staff, who work on the provision of water supply to rural communities.It provides tools and methods which can be used as complement to existing guidelines for WASH project, to specifically include livelihoods. This guide consists of three parts:
Part 1: conceptual framework. This part aims to define key concepts in relation to water and livelidhoods
Part 2: addressing water and livelihoods in the project cycle.
Part 3: tools and methods. This part provides tools and methods that can be used in the planning process
Read more or download 4_Guideline_for_livelihoods-based_planning.pdf (657.9 kB)
Process documentation
19 Apr 12
The ZimWASH project undertook an intensive effort to carry out process documentation, in order to gain a better understanding of how strengthening of district level capacities can be undertaken and what the limitations and opportunities for this were. It also helped to assess which changes have taken place at community level.
