ASSESSMENT OF R-WASH PROGRAM OBJECTIVES ACHIEVEMENT IN SHASHAMENE WOREDA: THE CASE STUDY OF THREE R-WASH INTERVENTION KEBELES

Abstract

The overall purpose of this study is to assess objective achievements of R-WASH program in the program intervention kebeles of Shashamene Woreda, Oromia Regional State. The study begins with examining the historical development of the R-WASH program at global level and then describes how it came into being in the country, at national, regional and woreda level. In so doing it describes the main components of the R-WASH program and justifies its importance to alleviate rural poverty and at the same time to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS). The research methods adopted to do the task were basically relied on analysis of primary data collected from 132 household respondents of the intervention kebeles coupled with focus group discussions (FGD) and face to face interviews conducted with relevant sectoral offices, respective kebele officials, and HEWs situated in each of the intervention Kebeles. This research method is also supported with the analysis of secondary data (literature review) and researcher’s own personal observation of the local communities and households’ dwellings, water supply schemes and sanitation facilities. Some pictures were taken to illustrate the situation and included in the main text. The study findings revealed that potable water supply availed by the R-WASH program is generally inadequate to satisfy people’s daily needs and consumptions. The inadequacy of potable water supply coupled with frequent breakdown of water supply schemes forced the households to collect water from unprotected sources to meet their daily needs. However, the findings of this study also established the views that water-borne disease prevailed in the communities prior to the implementation of this program considerably reduced. Data revealed that significant portion of the households living in communities under study owned various sanitation facilities including latrine and waste disposal pits and improved hygienic behaviors achieved since the onset of the R-WASH program. However, despite of such efforts, personal observation established the sustainability of the available facilities is still under question. Finally, the study outlined some of the recommendations to overcome those obstacles and gaps in the implementation of the R-WASH program that hinder objective achievements