The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), via its Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) program, has awarded N1.72 billion in grants to strengthen cholera prevention and management in Lagos State.
The funding, directed to eight native organizations, was made identified throughout a two-day workshop in Lagos, the place new grantees had been supplied orientation and formally onboarded into this system.
Speaking to the grantees, Mr. James Racicot, Chief of Party and USAID contractor for the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) mission famous that via the initiative, LUWASH goals to cut back cholera transmission, morbidity, and mortality charges in Lagos State.
He emphasised that LUWASH goals to drive behavioural change to forestall communicable illnesses and enhance WASH services, notably in low-income communities. “We do not doubt that all of you will succeed with the proposals that you have submitted,” Racicot assured the grantees.
He defined that the grantees had been chosen based mostly on their capability to fulfill LUWASH’s total targets and outputs. Racicot suggested them to totally leverage the coaching and orientation supplied, specializing in efficient grant administration to make sure profitable implementation.
“The LUWASH Activity is committed to engaging prominent, enthusiastic community-based organizations (CBOs) in Lagos and Nigeria, with plans to expand this engagement over the next few years,” Racicot mentioned.
- He confused that the efforts of those organizations will contribute considerably to LUWASH’s main aim of eradicating cholera outbreaks in Lagos State.
- Racicot outlined the elements of the USAID LUWASH exercise, which embody infrastructure enchancment for water provide, governance enhancement, and help for institutional stakeholders.
- He famous that the CAREVO fund, a grants-under-contract program, permits LUWASH to deal with focused wants, a few of which have emerged not too long ago whereas others have existed for years.
The beneficiaries
The recipients of the grants embody JAM Foundation, Equitable Health Access Initiative Nigeria, South Saharan Social Development Organisation, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development, Women’s Right to Education Programme, Bread of Life Development Foundation, Society for Water and Sanitation, and Chamagne Foundation.
These organizations are anticipated to play essential roles in selling sanitation and combating cholera inside susceptible communities.
Grantees decide to cholera eradication efforts
Some grantees expressed their dedication to maximizing the affect of the funds. Dr. Mimidoo Achakpa of the Women’s Right to Education Programme highlighted plans for elevated advocacy and collaboration with native stakeholders to deal with cholera and strengthen neighborhood capability.
In addition, Mr. Julius Akwashiki of JAM Foundation shared plans to revitalize an outdated faecal sludge therapy plant in Oregun, noting that inhabitants development in Lagos has intensified the demand for efficient sanitation options.
“Our intervention will help control what is discharged into the environment, which will significantly reduce health risks,” Akwashiki mentioned.
Expanding neighborhood outreach
Dr. Timothy Akinmurele of the Equitable Health Access Initiative defined that the grant would allow them to achieve vital areas with cholera prevention training.
“Our project will target seven high-risk local government areas, reaching schools, marketplaces, and communities to address cholera causes and prevention,” Akinmurele said, underscoring the significance of teaching the general public to forestall illness recurrence.
What it is best to know: USAID’s LUWASH program continues to interact distinguished native organizations to deal with WASH challenges in Nigeria.
With these new grants, LUWASH expects significant progress towards a cholera-free Lagos, backed by sustained neighborhood engagement and infrastructure enhancements.
