JUBA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Monday signed an agreement aimed at improving access to safe water and sanitation for the country's population.
The agreement, known as the Heads of State Initiative Compact on Water and Sanitation, ensures the rights of all citizens to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), according to a statement issued by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
"Safe water and a clean living environment are critical for a country to grow and prosper. Therefore, the government must provide an enabling environment for the WASH sector to develop, manage, and review policies, strategies, and guidelines, including passing the Water Bill into law," Kiir said at a ceremony attended by representatives from the African Development Bank and the World Bank.
The UNICEF said that South Sudan faces enormous water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges, which lead to poor health, including malnutrition, school absenteeism, loss of household income and reduced workforce productivity.
The signing of the agreement marks a significant step forward in addressing these challenges in a country grappling with climate-related, social, and economic issues. The WASH compact stems from the global UN Water Conference held in New York in March 2023. It is built upon clear commitments that include increased budget allocations, innovative sources of financing, and comprehensive plans for constructing vital water and sanitation infrastructure.
The UNICEF said that the critical goal of the compact is to end open defecation in South Sudan by 2030. The government will lead implementation programs supported by partners to improve access to essential services and achieve this goal. The organization added that access to basic water supply in South Sudan has declined from 41 percent in 2010 to 39 percent in 2020.
Hamida Lasseko, UNICEF representative in South Sudan, said "it is of great concern to UNICEF, and we are delighted to see this pledge by the government to address these challenges over the next six years."
