Government has paid tribute to the Zambia NGO WASH for their efforts in coordinating Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Luapula Province.
Speaking in Mansa when she officially opened a Luapula WASH CSO Regional Coordination workshop organised by the Forum in collaboration with SNV, Luapula Deputy Permanent Secretary Prudence Mwansa Chinama said Government appreciates the role CSOs play in the Province.
The DPS reminded the attendees of the critical importance of water and sanitation as fundamental human rights.
Ms Chinama said the Government of Zambia remained steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and actively listening to all stakeholders.
She said their efforts in advocacy, community mobilisation, and service delivery will significantly contribute to the realisation of the human rights to water and sanitation.
The DPS assured that the Government would take the resolutions and recommendations from the Forum very seriously.
Meanwhile, NGO WASH Forum Advocacy Officer Nonde Lwatula noted that the network currently consists of forty members across the country, with most based in Lusaka.
Mr. Lwatula said the workshop was made possible through the Water Voices United project, co-financed by the European Union (90%) and the Danish People’s Aid (10%), with a total budget of €3.6 million.
He said the project is being implemented by SNV Zambia and the Zambia NGO WASH Forum. He said the project, which started in January 2024, is set to run for four years.
Mr. Lwatula emphasised the project’s focus to strengthen CSOs capacities and cooperation for the realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation in Zambia and to recruit more members to join the forum.
He believed that with a unified voice on the realisation of the Human Rights to Water and Sanitation in the province, they could amplify their advocacy efforts for clean and safe water and good hygiene.
Mr. Lwatula expressed confidence that the meeting would result in a network of CSOs implementing WASH activities and menstrual hygiene management.
This is contained in a statement issued by Zambia NGO WASH Forum Coordinator Bubala Muyovwe-Mumba.
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