Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
(Wash)

Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental human right and a precondition for health, dignity, and development. RMI provides WASH research, evaluation, and consulting services for UNICEF, WHO, WaterAid, IRC, bilateral donors, and government ministries responsible for water and sanitation across Southern and East Africa.

Despite significant progress, WASH coverage in Southern and East Africa remains far below universal targets. Open defecation is still practised by millions. Water points break down and are not maintained. Hygiene behaviour change is difficult to sustain. Schools and health facilities frequently lack adequate WASH facilities, affecting health outcomes, girls’ attendance, and the dignity of patients. The WASH sector is further challenged by the climate-driven pressure on water resources, urbanisation, and the complex institutional landscape of water utilities, local government, and rural water committees.

RMI provides the following consulting services to regional bodies, UN agencies, donors, INGOs, NGOs, and government ministries:

• WASH coverage surveys (household, school, health facility)
• ODF verification surveys and sustainability assessments
• CLTS programme evaluations
• School WASH assessments (using WASH-BAT and SWASH tools)
• Health facility WASH assessments (WHO/UNICEF WASH in HCF tool)
• WASH emergency response evaluations
• Water committee functionality assessments
• MHM programme evaluations
• Sanitation market studies
• WASH policy reviews for government ministries