Engaging the health sector in climate-resilient WASH development

Area of Science:

• Environmental science and public health
• Climate change adaptation strategies
• Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector analysis

Background:

• Climate change significantly impacts Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems globally.
• While adaptation efforts in WASH are increasing, progress is uneven, with potential gaps in public health sector involvement.
• The Lake Victoria Basin (LVB) presents a critical case study due to its high climate vulnerability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify barriers hindering the full participation of the health sector in climate-resilient WASH development.
• To analyze the factors influencing health sector engagement within the WASH sector in the Lake Victoria Basin.
• To inform strategies for enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration in climate adaptation for WASH.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews.
• Conducted with 13 WASH sector stakeholders in lakeside urban centers across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
• Focus on understanding perspectives on climate resilience and health sector integration.

Main Results:

• Identified key barriers including donor-driven agendas, prioritization of climate risks, and fragmented ministerial operations.
• Highlighted a relative neglect of climate vulnerabilities specific to sanitation and hygiene.
• Observed that adaptation governance structures often limit the health sector's leadership role.

Conclusions:

• Deepened involvement of the health sector is essential for effective WASH-related climate adaptation.
• Addressing identified barriers is a prerequisite for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Strengthening health sector leadership in climate adaptation governance is recommended for resilient WASH outcomes.