Country Representative of WaterAid Solomon Islands, Ms Amy Dysart

THE WaterAid is thriving in its work as it continues to raise awareness on improving hygiene among communities in the country.

The international non-profitable organisation works with the Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (RWASH) Unit under the Ministry of Health especially on improving Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene.

Country Representative of WaterAid Solomon Islands, Ms Amy Dysart said WaterAid work on Water project, hygiene and Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme.

She said under the CLTS which they undertake, training programme looks at working with diligence to raise awareness on using proper toilets.

Ms Dysart added that this is to educate people on the importance of having proper toilets where it speaks of healthy hygiene for the people.

“And under this CLTS programme we did some training in November last year in Malu’u, North Malaita.

“In January this year the Ministry of Health and Medical Services came to varified that upon the awareness programme everyone in Keru community have toilets,” she said.

“Under this programme we work with the Ministry of Health mainly to implement the plans under the RWASH.

“And currently we’re doing a project on Water, Sanitation and Hygeine in five communities along the Mataniko River,” she said.

Meanwhile, Ms Dysart pointed out that there are lots of misunderstanding on the WaterAid programme; they’re only permitted to raise awareness to communities, and nothing to expect subsidies or materials from them.

However, according to a WaterAid, about 19 percent of people in the Solomon Islands don’t have access to safe water whilst more than 70 percent of people don’t have access to adequate sanitation.

The reported also stated that about 20 child deaths under the age of five in the Solomon Islands are due to diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation.