Dowa District Council Aims to Raise K23 Billion for WASH
The plan aims to address service gaps and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6, promoting universal WASH services.
DOWA, Malawi — Dowa District Council plans to mobilize over K23 billion for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) investments over the next five years, writes Meclina Chirwa.
Yusuf Lucky, the council's acting Chief Planning Officer, announced this during a stakeholder meeting funded by Self Help Africa.
"The council has developed a WASH Strategic and Investment Plan 2024-2028 to guide planning, implementation, and monitoring in the WASH sector," Lucky said.
The plan aims to address service gaps and contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6, promoting universal WASH services.
It aligns with Malawi's national development agenda and the district's development plan.
"The investment in WASH will require collaboration of both governmental and non-governmental actors," Lucky added.
Smorden Tomoka, Self Help Africa's Deputy Country Director, highlighted their ongoing support.
"We've been implementing our WASH program in Dowa since 2013," Tomoka said. "Since 2019, we've received funding from Charity Water for our Dowa integrated WASH program, which includes system strengthening at community and district levels."
Dowa, with a population of 857,510, relies heavily on agriculture, employing about 90% of its workforce.
A 2022 household survey revealed that 68% of Dowa households have access to improved water sources, while 32% do not.