UNICEF yesterday signed programme agreements with key partners in the country that amounts to SBD$14.5 million.
The money will help in rolling out safe water and adequate sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project in communities on Makira, Guadalcanal, Isabel and Honiara.
The partners that signed the programme agreements include the Solomon Islands Red Cross, Save the Children, World Vision and Live and Learn Environmental Education.
In support of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) UNICEF and its partners will soon implement WASH projects which will benefit some 46,000 people with more than 50 percent of whom will be children in those communities.
UNICEF representative Dr Karen Allen during the signing yesterday said UNICEF along with the European Union, UN Human Security Trust Fund and UN OCHA have all provided funding for the projects in their joint efforts to support the Ministry of Health to increase access to safe water adequate sanitation and improved hygiene.
“UNICEF is keen to work with its partners to provide clean water, toilets and hygiene education for children in 15 schools and will also reach more than 10 communities and several health facilities,” Dr Allen said.
She said a long term UNICEF project will promote sanitation in communities through the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to eliminate open defecation.
UNICEF works in close collaboration with the MHMS to implement the WASH projects in the country.
