Partnership aims to support programme

THE Wewak District in partnership with Water Aid have launched a five-year (2018-2023) implementation plan aimed at supporting the government-led Wash programme.
The programme strives to lead communities and the district to a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) promotion services.
It also aims to empower of women and people with disabilities through support for the creation of effective participation in decision-making forums associated with Wash service delivery.
Speaking during the launching recently, Wewak MP Kevin Isifu said the project had been supporting the Wewak development authority and the Wash coordination body to develop a plan.
“WaterAid trained and supported 29 government officials in Wewak to conduct a district-wide baseline survey on water, sanitation and hygiene services within communities, schools, healthcare facilities and market places.
“Over a 10-week period from Oct 2018 to Dec 2018, government staff collected data from 208 rural villages, all 16 wards in the urban area, 107 schools, 27 healthcare facilities, three markets places and the main Boram prison and police cells.
“The Wewak baseline data has provided a complete picture of the district’s situation for the first time,” Isifu said.
“The availability of quality and timely data has culminated in the development of an inclusive five-year Wash plan.