New handwashing stations in schools and health facilities are helping to prevent diarrhoeal and respiratory diseases in South Sudan, ensuring children stay healthy and don’t miss school.
24 hand washing stations have been successfully installed so far this year, improving access to handwashing and soap for around 7,000 children. These are on top of 5 built last year, whilst another 16 are planned for next year. Over the three years the programme will improve access to proper handwashing for over 14,000 people living where there is limited access to safe water and sanitation.
Abdullahi Salan, MENTOR WASH Coordinator in South Sudan, said:
“MENTOR implements 3-star approach for WASH in schools and therefore constructed group handwashing with water connectivity through solar powered boreholes.
“The facilities which have multiple taps that can serve 10 children at a time, will help the learners to save time and practice hand hygiene at critical times. This will reduce the risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections and improve school attendance. Hand hygiene is an important way to promote healthy living in schools.”
Soaps and diluted bleach solution were provided and demonstrations of good handwashing technique using soap and running water took place after installation.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with UNICEF and supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and KfW.