Africa WASH Workshop: Experts tackle climate change and population shifts at key workshop

The Africa Regional Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Workshop is underway at the Munyonyo Resort Hotel, bringing together over 60 WASH experts from across Africa and representatives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The workshop, which began on September 30 and concludes on October 4, 2024, is focused on the theme of “Strengthening Water Security in Africa,” addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change and population movement.

The workshop aims to promote knowledge sharing and introduce innovative WASH and water security approaches designed to alleviate human suffering caused by these crises.

Hosted by the Uganda Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other partners, this event is an important step toward enhancing the resilience of African communities in the face of escalating water security threats.

Uganda’s Vulnerability and Urgent Need for Action

Uganda is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, such as floods, mudslides, and landslides, which have become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

According to the National Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (2020), extreme weather events have significantly impacted Ugandan communities, with over 200,000 people affected annually by disasters in recent decades. Flooding, especially in low-lying areas, remains a major risk but also presents opportunities for proactive disaster preparedness through anticipatory action.

During the opening of the workshop, Dr. Josephine Okwera, Director of Health at the Uganda Red Cross Society, delivered remarks on behalf of Secretary General Robert Kwesiga. She emphasized the critical need for integrated WASH and climate action programming to enhance community resilience and secure Africa’s water future.

“The Red Cross movement empowers the most vulnerable communities to achieve improved health and well-being with better WASH services and enhanced livelihoods, while also adapting to the changing climate,” she stated.

Commitment to Regional Cooperation and Innovation

The Uganda Red Cross Society has pioneered various initiatives aimed at strengthening water security in Uganda, including solarized emergency WASH kits, faecal sludge management units, and climate adaptation infrastructure. In partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda Red Cross has also installed terrestrial sensors and community radios in the flood-prone Teso region to provide early warnings and reduce disaster risk.

Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment, delivered a keynote speech highlighting Uganda’s ongoing effort to improve water access and sanitation services. He noted, “More than 24 million people in Uganda lack access to basic drinking water services, while 29 million are without improved sanitation. We must continue to strengthen collaboration between governments, the private sector, and humanitarian organizations to address these critical challenges.”

The workshop serves as a platform for fostering collaboration between National Societies and government agencies, with a call to action for unified planning and joint resource mobilization to address the water security challenges that many African nations face.

Call to Action

As the workshop progresses, stakeholders are urged to reinforce their commitments to sustainable water management and climate resilience. The Uganda Red Cross Society, with its wide network of over 500,000 volunteers, stands ready to continue its efforts in promoting water security across Uganda and beyond.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in alignment with government frameworks, remains committed to strengthening community resilience through innovative WASH interventions and integrated climate action programming.