Towards universal coverage: self-supply as part of the solution for the hard-to-reach in Zambia

Zambia has a real challenge to reach universal access by 2030, through community water supplies alone, requiring rates of progress in construction of more than six times the present rate. Supplementary approaches are needed. Piloting of Self-supply acceleration in one of the poorest districts in the country resulted in high levels of grassroots response, and positive reactions from government. Support services, including up-grading of artisan and advisory skills, promotion of improvement options and provision of loans enabled some 120 wells to reach JMP standards and many more up-graded to provide safe water. Results overall suggest that this approach can offer a supplementary and cost effective way for the country to achieve the SD Goal especially amongst some of the most difficult communities to reach.