The Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW Development Bank, in collaboration with UNICEF Zambia has secured 157 million Kwacha to support Zambia to implement a Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme in six districts of Luapula Province.

UNICEF Zambia Chief Communication Officer John James told Money FM News that the programme will be implemented through the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection with support to the target districts and provincial authorities, working in collaboration with Ministries of Health and General Education.

Mr. James said the programme entitled, ‘Enhancing Access to WASH Services in Luapula Province of Zambia,’ will be implemented over a period of three years in the target six districts and is expected to benefit an estimated 200,000 people.

He named the targeted districts as Chiengi, Chifunabuli, Kawambwa, Lunga, Mwansabombwe and Mwense. 

“Under the programme, at least 450 existing non-functional boreholes will be rehabilitated, and 340 new boreholes will be drilled and equipped with hand pumps, and ten piped water supply stems will be constructed or upgraded.”

“The programme will also support sanitation and hygiene promotion, and capacity building for communities, districts, and provincial and national staff in planning, programme implementation, the operation and maintenance of WASH infrastructure, and monitoring and evaluation.”

And Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Achim Burkart said with a view to following a comprehensive approach, the programme has interlinkages to another project in the water sector as well as to food and nutrition security.

“Integrated solutions are important guiding principles for Germany´s Development Cooperation to maximize impacts, Mr. Burkart,”

Meanwhile, UNICEF Representative in Zambia Noala Skinner said access to basic water and sanitation is such an essential part of children getting the best start in life.

“Without these, the lives of tens of thousands of children in Zambia are at risk. For children under five, water- and sanitation-related diseases are one of the leading causes of death,” Ms. Noala said.

The programme will also see the rehabilitation and upgrading of water and sanitation infrastructure in 50 schools and 20 health centres and also support health care waste management systems in health care facilities.