CoWASH III extension to support COVID-19 emergency response and resilience building in the WASH sector

Finland has approved an additional extension of the CoWASH III project. The project will continue to contribute to the national objectives in the WASH sector: to improve the health and well-being of the population by increasing access to sustainable and climate resilient water supply and sanitation as well as adopting good hygiene practices. The extension will last until the end of the year 2020 and is worth €2,67 million.

The extension plays an important part in the COVID-19 emergency response in 45 woredas in Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray and Benishangul Gumuz, where ensuring the water supply and sanitation in health units and isolation, quarantine and treatment centres is urgently needed. The extension will also ensure the continuation of community-led COVID-19 resilience building for safe and affordable water supply and improved sanitation and hygiene behaviour. One of the priority areas is handwashing facilities at health posts and schools. Already earlier, part of the remaining funds for CoWASH III were transferred to COVID-19 prevention activities, such as the procurement of pumps and water tracking.

Finland’s support to the WASH sector started more than 25 years ago and we remain committed to supporting Ethiopia and the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MoWIE). Last week, Finland signed a €4 million agreement contributing to the Consolidated WASH Account (CWA II) to support Ethiopia in improving water and sanitation services and hygiene. The fourth phase of CoWASH is expected to start in early 2021, and Finland looks forward to continuing our collaboration in the WASH sector.