Machinga DC commends NGOs for Wash efforts
Machinga district commissioner Rodrick Mateauma has hailed non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for intensifying provision of safe water and sanitation and hygiene services in the district to curb the spread of waterborne diseases.
He said this on Wednesday during an Annual Wash Forum organised by Machinga District Council and NGO partners such as Water Aid, World Vision Malawi, Cpar, Evidence Action and Wash Forum to share Wash best practices and lessons in the district.
“We grapple with sanitation issues in Machinga, which define the health of our communities. As a council, we want to ensure that this achievement is sustained and the communities have better toilets,” he said.
He said the council will soon deploy officers to check if communities are adhering to recommendations to achieve open defaecation free (ODF) status.
Heart to Heart Foundation Malawi country manager Maxwell Chiputula said the two-year project started in 2022 and has reduced cholera and diarrhoeal cases.
He said: “We are also doing fine in sanitation and water supply through collaboration with the council.
“The forum did not only involve NGOs and the council. We also had community representatives themselves who are the owners of the development in Machinga that all the partners are fostering in various parts of the district.”
Traditional Authority (T/A) Mizinga said they will ensure that all households improve hygiene.
Heart to Heart Foundation Malawi is one of the implementing organisations with funding from the Korean International Corporation Agency.
The theme of the forum was ‘Accelerating change; Towards safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all.
