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GROWE — In a joint visit to Puntland, UNICEF Somalia and the Government of the Netherlands celebrated key milestones in improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services under the Accelerated Sanitation and Water for All (ASWA) program, while officially launching the WASH Sustainability Report and Response Plan.
The visit featured the participation of the Netherlands’ Ambassador to Somalia, who was welcomed by UNICEF representatives and senior officials from Puntland’s Ministry of Water. The high-level mission included community engagements and discussions aimed at further strengthening WASH systems in the region.
As part of the visit, the delegation toured Burtinle town and nearby camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to assess the impact of ongoing interventions and identify remaining gaps. The ASWA program, funded by the Dutch government, focuses on expanding access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation in underserved and crisis-affected areas, while promoting sustainable and climate-resilient WASH solutions.
The newly launched WASH Sustainability Report and Response Plan outlines a roadmap for safeguarding the long-term effectiveness of WASH investments. It highlights the importance of local institutional capacity, community ownership, and resilient infrastructure as pillars of sustainability.
UNICEF stressed the need for continued collaboration to build on existing progress, particularly in reaching vulnerable populations impacted by drought, displacement, and poor infrastructure.
Officials from Puntland’s Ministry of Water expressed gratitude to both UNICEF and the Netherlands for their sustained support and partnership, noting the tangible improvements in health, hygiene, and community resilience driven by the ASWA program.
The visit reaffirms the shared commitment of international and local partners to ensuring equitable and lasting access to WASH services for all.
Source: FTL Origin: view original
