7.4.1 Implementation in the main WASH ministries

Water, Irrigation and Energy

The Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE) is responsible for the provision of safe drinking water to all the peoples of Ethiopia as mandated in the Water Resources Management Policy, which you read about in Study Session 2.

At federal level, MoWIE is responsible for water policy, coordination and monitoring. Implementation is decentralised to regional, woreda and, in some cases, community level. In general, design and contracting of piped water supply schemes are managed at regional water bureau level, before handing over maintenance responsibility to woredas or towns. Implementation of schemes such as hand-dug wells or springs is managed by the woreda Water Offices, or by communities.

Health

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is responsible for the sanitation and hygiene condition of all the people of Ethiopia as mandated in the various health policy documents. It is also responsible for WASH facilities of health institutions, including hospitals, clinics, health centres and health posts.

In Study Session 2 you read about the Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP) prepared by the MoH. The sanitation and hygiene element of the OWNP was based on the HSDP. It is implemented by regional health bureaus, which aims to scale-up delivery of primary care services through the Health Extension Programme and health clinics at district level (see also Study Session 6). Health Extension Workers (HEWs) are trained and deployed to health posts at kebele level in both rural and urban areas. HEWs work with communities and households, and in rural areas with members of the Health Development Army (HDA) to promote behavioural change, including using improved sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion and the eradication of open defecation.

Education

You already know about the importance of WASH in schools and how WASH facilities can affect school attendance and educational achievement. The Ministry of Education (MoE) has responsibility for the water supply, sanitation and hygiene conditions of all school communities. The MoE has prepared an Education Sector Development Plan (ESDP) to achieve the education MDGs by 2015. The strategies and activities of the ESDP include providing safe drinking water, renovating existing latrines and handwashing facilities, constructing new facilities and integrating hygiene education into the curriculum (MoE, 2010).The school sanitation and hygiene aspect of the OWNP is based on this plan and supports its implementation to achieve the target.

Finance and Economic Development

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED) determines and allocates budgets to all public institutions. It is responsible for implementing efficient ways of utilising WASH resources in both federal and regional governments. It has an important role in allocating and channeling resources and monitoring fund utilisation.