Sustainable access to water for drinking, adequate sanitation, and agriculture, remain significant challenges for children and families in Burkina Faso, including more than 1.74 million individuals who are internally displaced. In 2020, 52 percent of the population did not have access to at least basic drinking water services. At the same time, 78 percent of the population lacks access to at least basic sanitation, of which 40 percent practice open defecation.
One in seven adolescent girls in Burkina Faso reported that they missed school due to their menstruation because their schools either lacked water or sanitation facilities, and limited access to water and sanitation, as well as poor hygiene result in a high burden of childhood (under 5 years old) diarrhea.
OUR WORK
In the face of rising insecurity, extreme climate change impacts, and the escalating numbers of internally displaced persons, USAID is helping Burkinabé children and families to have better access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services at home, in schools, and in healthcare facilities.
USAID undertakes groundwater studies and information mapping exercises to identify and increase access to water supply sources. USAID also works to strengthen infrastructure while engaging communities, the private sector, and technical bodies to improve the management of water and sanitation services.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO SAFE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
USAID’s investment supports conducting hydrogeological surveys and strengthening water system infrastructures, for example, by rehabilitating or building water points. USAID also provides the tools and training that healthcare facilities need to secure their access to water and sanitation systems.
IMPROVING SANITATION AND HYGIENE
USAID facilitates market assessments to identify new tools and field-tested innovative technologies such as social marketing for latrine construction and subsidized community-led sanitation. These interventions respond to the needs of women and vulnerable communities and use social behavior change activities to increase the use of toilets and the adoption of hygiene practices such as handwashing with soap and water.
MITIGATING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19
USAID helps communities combat COVID-19 through the development of commune-level COVID-19 action plans, broadcasting awareness-raising communications over community radios, creation and strengthening of water, sanitation, and hygiene technical services, and working with women’s groups on soap production.
USAID contributed to strengthening infection prevention and control in COVID-19 designated health facilities and other targeted institutions in high-risk communities, reaching approximately 67,115 people. This support includes improving people's access to safe sanitation services through the construction and rehabilitation of latrines and water points, and training households on waste management.
