In 2018, the Federal Government embarked on a 13-year strategy to tackle the country’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) crisis. However, five years into its implementation, a crucial aspect seems to have been overlooked: climate change. Climate change poses unpredictable challenges to water availability globally, making it increasingly difficult to ensure sustainable development and uphold individuals’ basic rights to clean drinking water and sanitation. The World Health Organisation recognises climate change as the most significant threat facing humanity today, with adverse impacts on WASH services.
In Nigeria, the situation is dire, with a majority of households experiencing limited access to quality WASH services. According to the 2021 WASHNORM report, only 10 per cent have access to basic WASH services, while 23 per cent lack access to a basic water supply. Nigeria faces significant challenges related to climate change, particularly flooding, which affects 34 out of the country’s 36 states. As of November 2022, flooding had devastating consequences, impacting 3.2 million people, resulting in 600 deaths, and displacing 1.4 million individuals. Erratic rainfall patterns and rising sea levels exacerbate the situation, making it challenging to maintain fragile WASH infrastructure, especially during floods and droughts. Flooding damages homes, farms, and infrastructure, including water and sanitation facilities, leading to pollution of water sources and increased risks of waterborne diseases. Conversely, drought reduces the availability of potable water, making it difficult for households to maintain adequate sanitation and hygiene practices. This not only affects health but also has far-reaching implications for education and the economy.
Read Also: Soldiers killing: No one left in community, says governor
The declaration of a state of emergency in the WASH sector in 2018 marked a significant step towards addressing Nigeria’s WASH crisis. The subsequent launch of the National Action Plan for the Revitalisation of WASH (NAPRW) aimed to address governance, sustainability, financing, and monitoring and evaluation issues. However, the plan lacks a crucial element: climate change adaptation.
Ethiopia’s ONE WASH National Programme (OWNP), launched in 2013 in response to recurrent droughts, provides a model for climate-resilient WASH policies. The programme focused on creating WASH systems capable of withstanding climate change impacts while ensuring sustainable water access. It employed a multi-sectoral approach, emphasising diversification of water sources, capacity building, and community engagement. By incorporating groundwater wells and rainwater harvesting systems, communities became less vulnerable to extreme weather events. Ethiopia’s experience underscores the importance of integrating climate resilience into WASH policies to achieve sustainable development goals. Nigeria can learn from such approaches to enhance its WASH systems and adapt to climate change.