Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The World Bank has approved a $40 million grant to support the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project in the Western Area. This is the first phase of a $180 million, 10-year program aimed at strengthening water and sanitation services and building climate resilience in the country.
The project seeks to improve institutional capacity, enhance WASH infrastructure, and promote community engagement, ensuring millions of Sierra Leoneans gain access to safe water and sanitation.
“This project represents a critical step forward for Sierra Leone in addressing its pressing water security and sanitation challenges,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager.
The Challenges in Sierra Leone’s WASH Sector are as follows: Only 63% of the population has access to basic water, 23% have improved drinking water sources on premises, 32% have access to basic sanitation, while 12% have basic hygiene facilities, The sector faces weak institutions, inadequate financing, poor coordination, and vulnerability to climate change.
The key intervention is to Strengthen the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and other sector institutions, Develop policy and regulatory frameworks and a national water resources master plan, Upgrade Guma Valley Water Company operations, Expand sanitation and hygiene facilities in schools, health centers, and public spaces, Increase fecal sludge treatment capacity to 50,000 cubic meters per year, and Launch a national behavior change campaign to make Sierra Leone Open-Defecation Free.
The Impact and Benefits of this project are:5 million people will benefit from climate-resilient planning and improved WASH services,400,000 people in the Western Area will gain improved water services,1.3 million will access better sanitation and hygiene, including 80,000 in public facilities, and the Creation of 1,400 direct jobs and strengthening of 600 sector professionals.
“This partnership will achieve tangible improvements in water security and sanitation access while supporting climate-resilient public health,” said Xavier Chauvot De Beauchene, World Bank Lead Water Specialist.
The project reflects the World Bank’s commitment to universal access to safe WASH services and a climate-resilient future for Sierra Leone
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