Qualitative and sustainable solutions in the humanitarian WASH sector

The Dutch Surge Support (DSS) water programme have called upon the humanitarian sector to leverage the innovation capacity from private partners. On the occasion of the 25th Global WASH Cluster Annual Meeting, DSS water and DCHI launched a Call to Action to explore innovative partnership models and stimulate collaboration between international humanitarian organisations and private actors with the common goal to realize more qualitative and sustainable solutions in the humanitarian WASH sector.

Private sector involvement can offer benefits for both private actors and international humanitarian organisations. Benefits may include, among others, sustainability of aid, cost-effectiveness, durability, corporate social responsibility and the integration of specialists within the humanitarian sector. For private partners, this Call to Action offers an opportunity to engage in humanitarian response operations.

Milestones and Phases

Universal, affordable and sustainable access to water, sanitation and hygiene is a key public health issue within international development and is the focus of the first two targets of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). To create a joint impact, innovative methods and digitised processes can help humitarian programmes to reduce their time and efforts spend in searching for local leverage and sustainable partnerships.

In the coming months, DCHI and DSS water will facilitate the first stage of the Call to Action which will consist of 3-4 workshops that will guide the innovative process of:

  1. reframing the question, barriers and opportunities;
  2. finding the right partners;
  3. co-creating and testing in real life situations.

Related news

TNO & UNICEF in Mongolia

TNO & UNICEF in Mongolia

Bad air quality  Coal-based energy supply in a ger, a circular, domed tent-like dwelling in which many Mongolians live, leads to bad indoor and outdoor air quality. UNICEF is particularly worried about the negative health impact the bad air quality has on pregnant mothers and young children and has been working to resolve the issue for a few years now. Together with the TNO; the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, UNICEF Mongolia is now looking to implement and scale clean energy solutions that work for the…

Continue readingTNO & UNICEF in Mongolia