Ethiopia SOCODEP CE - main report - IFAD

constructed two motorized water schemes from spring sources and one motorized scheme from a
shallow borehole 31 . In total 171 new or rehabilitated water points were constructed (as against target at
Appraisal of 164).
59. The quality of construction of the water points seen in the evaluation was generally adequate,
but the water points were not well separated from livestock and drainage was poor. Upkeep and
maintenance of water points betrayed weaknesses in community ownership and management, issues
which are explored further in section III.
60. Training of local artisans and the community to construct and operate water facilities. A total of
311 members of Community Water Committees received training in the management of water points,
financial management and environmental hygiene, sanitation and health. In year 2000 two water
officers, 5 community organizers, 13 water committees and 15 water scheme operators were trained in
water supply management. In the same year, 175 water technicians and Water Committee members
received training. In 2003, 14 Woreda technicians were trained in the design and construction of water
supply systems 32 . The existing technical manual for the operation and maintenance of water supply
and sanitation facilities was simplified and made available to caretakers of water points. At least two
women were included in each Community Water Committee and every participating village was
represented at a community-training workshop.
A Public Tapstand in the Yakima Gravity Scheme,
Ofa Woreda, Wolayta Zone
Source: Evaluation Mission 2007
18
61. Overall, the water supply component
has the potential to deliver significant
benefits to the target populations. Improved
access to better quality domestic water can
lead to significant time savings for women in
particular, and it can contribute to improved
health. However, it is widely recognised that
significant health impacts are only achieved
through an integrated approach to water
supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion.
Because of weaknesses in the integration of
these three aspects, and because of the limited
emphasis on hygiene promotion, the
evaluation team had serious concerns about
impact in this area (on health, in particular).
Furthermore, concerns about functional
sustainability of water supply infrastructure
undermine the limited impacts achieved.
62. Health and sanitation. The construction, rehabilitation and equipping of health facilities, and
the training of staff and community members have no doubt contributed significantly to the
improvement of the health condition of local populations. There has however been little integration
between the activities focused on delivery of health services, and the supposedly health-targeted
activities of sanitation and water supply. In the case of sanitation, the reported high levels of latrine
construction 33 and ownership 34 may have more to do with the Government’s push through the Woreda
and kebele councils to increase coverage quickly, than with the BSF component itself. Some Woreda
officials admit privately that the top-down approach of Government may well be increasing numbers
of latrines, but that usage is another question.
31 IFAD, 2006. SOCODEP Project Completion Report.
32 IFAD, 2006. SOCODEP Project Completion Report.
33 Using local materials rather than concrete sanplats.
34 75 per cent in the BSF woredas, according to the BSF Impact Assessment.