The Civil Society Organizations Wash Network and the WASH Legislative Caucus of Liberia have ended a one day intensive assembly on global hand washing day in Monrovia.
The Global hand washing day 2020 was celebrated under the theme: “Hand Hygiene For All.”
Giving the overview of the event, the Executive Director of United Youth, Timothy Kpeh, said the meeting was part of the CSO Network’s advocacy engagement on the national budget for the improvement of the WASH Sector.
According to him, their quests during the budget hearing were for the central government to increase the WASH Budget especially on governance.
Mr. Kpeh said with the passing of the national budget, it is their hope that the WASH sector will have a reasonable budget that will address those constraints of the wash sector.
Also speaking at the occasion was the Chairman of the CSOs Wash Network, Augustine Myers, who said the event is part of their engagement and observance of global hand washing month that was officially celebrated in October .
Mr. Myers said as part of their engagement on the observance of the world hand washing day, the CSO Network conducted community awareness on water Sanitation and Hygiene with in five communities that included Swagger, located on the Borbor Island, the 72nd Kingzito, Sonewein and Tompoe Village respectively.
He said the objective of the community engagement was part of their efforts to remind the citizens on the significance of hand washing. He said the team was able to rejuvenate the residents on the importance of hand washing. He stressed that some of the residents acknowledged that they were forgetting the practices of hand washing .
According to him, during the Ebola crisis in Liberia, hand washing was a key component in the fight against the Ebola including the Coronavirus .He said hand washing plays a pivotal role in sustaining good health practices.
Mr. Myers further wants the National Legislature to ensure that the WASH Commission structures the wash sector.
Also speaking during the event was the WASH Caucus Chairman , Grand Bassa County Senator Jonathan Kaipay who assured the CSOS WASH NETWORK of the caucus’ commitment in addressing those issues that are confronting the sector.
He said the caucus could not disclose what was allotted in the wash budget to the organization because President George Weah has not signed the budget.
Senator Kaipay further said the Wash Sector is critical to the development of Liberia.
He stressed that the caucus will work with the relevant partners to ensure the sector is fully supported.
Also speaking was a member of the caucus, Rivercess County Representative, Byron Zahwea, wants the Government and its partners in the WASH Sector to formulate an agenda that will drive the sector.
He said with a comprehensive agenda will allow the government to work in line with such national agenda including the partners for efficiency.
