WASH sector initiatives expand in Malawi and Sierra Leone

In Malawi, the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Media Forum has transitioned from reporting to direct action by conducting a clean-up exercise at Bwaila Hospital. In partnership with CTS Courier and with support from WaterAid, the forum donated hand sanitizers and handwashing buckets to the hospital's maternity wing and cholera camp to help prevent disease outbreaks.

Meanwhile, the Government of Sierra Leone has announced a 10-year development programme for its WASH sector, requiring an estimated $7 billion investment. The plan aims to expand access to safe water, improve waste management, and strengthen institutional regulations. The government has already initiated a $180 million phased project supported by the World Bank, with the first $40 million phase focusing on the Western Area. Discussions with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have also opened avenues for renewed technical cooperation in the region.