Situational analysis of the sanitation and hygiene programme implementation in Ethiopia

Sanitation and Hygiene promotion programs play vital role in reducing diarrheal diseases. Ethiopia has one of the lowest water and sanitation services coverage. A cross sectional survey to assess the existing Sanitation and Hygiene practices in Ethiopia was conducted from June – October 2007. Relevant sector ministries, agencies, initiatives and NGOs were contacted. Books, Journals, workshop proceedings and reports and online materials were used as a source of data. The study revealed that Ethiopia has sound policies and strategies for S&H, while access to service is still low. Sector gaps and duplications are evident, but the recent platforms and modalities are encouraging. Sanitation gets minimal attention in WASH. The allocation of resources is still inadequate and the training and allocation of professionals in Environmental Sanitation doesn’t meet national demands. An urgent response to problems in the area of training, organization, resource flows and technology choice is suggested if the country has to meet its Universal Access Plan.