World Vision Ethiopia launches a book entitled “In the Midst of Water: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Ethiopia”

Addis Ababa, June 25, 2013 (WV) – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is one of the six key strategic focus areas of World Vision Ethiopia and one sector which has seen significant progress over the past six years. As part of its knowledge management focus, the organization has published a book entitled, “In the Midst of Water,” which captures models and achievements in the sector. The book is being officially launched by His Excellency Ato Kebede Gerba, State Minister, Ministry of Water & Energy on June 25, 2013 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In the last few decades the Ethiopian WASH sector has shown encouraging progress in terms of coverage, sustainability and equitable distribution. The progress is attributed to the ever increasing commitment of the government of FDRE and the combined effort of civil society organizations, the donor groups and the private sector, along with community commitment and engagement.

Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous nation has one of Africa’s largest rural populations: 80 percent of the country’s 85 million people live in rural areas. Currently, 54 percent of households have access to an improved source of potable water, with a much higher proportion among urban households (75 percent) and rural households (49 percent).

His Excellency Ato Kebede, officially launching the book said, “in the Ethiopian WASH Sector, CSOs and NGOs are providing vital support to contribute to the achievement of the Universal Access and Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP). World Vision Ethiopia has been a significant actor engaged in the implementation of numerous water systems and sanitation and hygiene activities that support the GTP across the country.

Going forward, World Vision Ethiopia is committed to work together for a common goal, to contribute to the GTP/UAP targets for 2015: 100% sanitation coverage and 98.5% access to clean water. “The book was developed to highlight best practices in WASH programming and to improve the wellbeing of children in this regard. Furthermore, we believe it will serve as an important tool that can be used by a variety of different partners and stakeholders working in the sector,” said Margaret Schuler, National Director of World Vision Ethiopia

For more information please contact: Meron Aberra, at meron_aberra@wvi.org, 0911-221060

End Note:World Vision began its first intervention in Ethiopia in 1971 with relief and opened the Ethiopia office in 1975. During the 1984/85 drought, World Vision Ethiopia participated in a massive relief operation that saved the lives of millions of people. After an intensive relief and rehabilitation programme, the organization developed a new integrated development approach the objective of which was to ensure empowerment and transformational change.  This approach led to the establishment of Area Development Programs (ADPs) in the 1990s that is still being implemented and continuously strengthened today.

At present World Vision Ethiopia operates in 69 ADPs, coordinated by eight programme offices in eight regional states and one city administration. Moreover, World Vision carries out emergency response interventions in South Omo and Borena. It also supports Somali refugees in Dollo Ado and Sudanese refugees in Tongo in the western part of the country.