WaSH & Community Health
Improving Health, Dignity, and Living Conditions
Access to safe water, proper sanitation, and good hygiene practices are fundamental to human health, dignity, and well-being. EDA’s WASH and Community Health programs address the interconnected challenges of water scarcity, poor sanitation, and inadequate healthcare access that affect millions of people in underserved communities. EDA constructs and rehabilitates safe water points, builds school and community sanitation facilities, and supports community-led waste management enterprises that also generate local income. Beyond infrastructure, EDA strengthens maternal and child health services, promotes reproductive health awareness and care, and provides social housing support to ensure that the most vulnerable households live in safe and dignified conditions.
Strategic Pillars of Action
Our WaSH program utilizes a community-managed approach to ensure long-term sustainability. We focus on building resilient infrastructure and fostering the behavioral changes necessary to protect public health and empower local communities to manage their own water resources effectively.
We construct and rehabilitate sustainable water points, including hand-dug wells and spring developments, ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water for rural and urban households nationwide.
We develop integrated waste management systems in urban centers, training youth groups to manage collection and recycling, which creates green jobs while improving environmental sanitation.
Using the Community-Led Total Sanitation and Hygiene approach, we empower communities to eradicate open defecation and adopt life-saving habits like consistent, proper handwashing and sanitation.
We build gender-sensitive latrines and handwashing stations in schools, promoting dignity and hygiene education while ensuring girls remain in school through improved menstrual health facilities.
Impact Highlights
The impact of our WaSH initiatives extends far beyond infrastructure; it is measured in the health and productivity of the people. Clean water saves lives, reduces household medical costs, and restores time for women and children to pursue education and economic activities.
Expanded Safe Water Access
Drastic reduction in travel distance for water collection in project areas like Oromia and Amhara.
Functional School WaSH Clubs
Establishment of peer-led clubs that manage school facilities and champion hygiene education among their classmates.
Institutional Latrine Construction
Delivery of modern, accessible sanitation facilities in health centers and schools that meet national hygiene standards.
Community-Led Maintenance
Training of local Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees (WASHCOs) to manage and maintain water points independently after project completion.