Staff Reporter
Bulawayo is set to host a crucial national Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Joint Sector Review (JSR) conference this week, bringing together key stakeholders to assess the country’s progress and challenges in ensuring water safety and security.
The two-day conference, organized by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, will begin this coming Wednesday and focus on the theme “Climate Resilient WASH Services: A Call to Sustainable Service Delivery.”
The conference will be officially opened by Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development,Dr. Anxious Masuka, who also chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
Speaking to the media ahead of the event, National WASH Director Nesbert Shirihuru explained the significance of the Joint Sector Review, highlighting its role as a platform for joint programming and mutual accountability among the government, civil society, private sector development partners, and donors.
“At the beginning of the year, we developed a joint work plan for the WASH sector, and this conference is an opportunity to reflect on that plan. We will assess the sector's progress, challenges, and best practices to determine what we should take forward and what needs to be left behind,” Shirihuru said.
He emphasized that water service delivery is a complex issue that requires a systems-strengthening approach, noting that the process involves much more than just infrastructure.
“When you see water coming from the taps, it’s not just about the infrastructure. There are several building blocks that ensure we have running water. It starts with planning at both the local and government levels, financial management, water resources, environmental considerations, accountability, and creating an enabling environment,” he explained.
The conference will explore various thematic areas, including resilient WASH service delivery, sector financing, and the inclusiveness of service delivery processes.
Governance mechanisms will also be scrutinized to identify bottlenecks and develop strategies to address them for future planning.
“We will interrogate these areas to see how we can strengthen them and plan for posterity,” Shirihuru added.
The event will bring together several key ministries, including the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion.
These ministries will work together to ensure the long-term sustainability of water, sanitation, and hygiene services across Zimbabwe.
The WASH JSR conference is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping policies and actions aimed at improving water security and public health in the face of climate change, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s WASH systems are resilient and sustainable for years to come.
