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Over 500 Schools in Liberia to Have Water Through EU Support

Monrovia - On Wednesday, 29 April, the EU Ambassador, Tiina Intelmann participated in a symbolic hand washing ceremony, together with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ministers at C.D.B. King Memorial High School, to launch the Government of Liberia and partners, Liberia's WASH in Schools (WINS), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools programme.

To contribute to the recovery of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, the European Union (EU) established the regional fund A West African Response to Ebola (AWARE).As part of its support to Liberia, the EU has chosen to prioritize the education sector. Water access in the schools, was a minimal requirement for schools to be able to reopen. The EU's support to WASH in schools contributes to the Government of Liberia's own efforts in reopening the schools, while bringing about improvement in water access levels in schools and the existing WASH infrastructure. By the end of 2015, 529 schools across 9 counties of Liberia, will have water through EU funding.

The key objective of the initiative EU Support to Promote Access to Safe Water in Schools in Liberia, is to ensure that there is access to clean water in the schools and mobilise the communities, promoting hygiene awareness and proper use of the established infrastructures.

The EU has awarded five grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with expertise in WASH for action on the EU's behalf: Action Contre la Faim (ACF), Concern Worldwide, Plan Nederland, Save the Children Nederland and Oxfam GB. Schools and communities in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Nimba, Montserrado (including rural Montserrado and Monrovia), Grand Bassa, Lofa, Gbarpolu, Margibi and Bong will be reached through their interventions. It is the hope of the EU that the works can begin expeditiously. The projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

New wells and boreholes will be constructed in schools, that currently have no access to water and the existing infrastructures will be repaired; some NGOs will complement the construction of wells and boreholes with minor repairs of latrines and/or set up hand washing units. Schools and communities will also be targeted for hygiene awareness activities.

Training will be offered on the use and basic maintenance of the WASH infrastructures and each school will receive repair kits.

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