LAGOS: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (LUWASH) program, has awarded grants totaling N1.72 billion to eight local organizations to tackle the cholera outbreak in Lagos. The grants were formally presented during a two-day signing and onboarding workshop held in the city, aimed at launching the grant activities and orienting the new grantees.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative supports the Lagos state government’s efforts to curb cholera transmission, encourage behavioral change, and prevent future outbreaks. The grants, distributed under the Capacity Building, Research, and Advocacy Fund (CAREVO Fund), are designed to bolster the operational and outreach capacity of Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) providing water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, particularly in communities underserved by public utilities.
The beneficiary organizations include JAM Foundation, Equitable Health Access Initiative
Nigeria, South Saharan Social Development Organisation, Humanity Family Foundation for Peace and Development, Women’s Right to Education Programme, Bread of Life Development Foundation, Society for Water and Sanitation, and Chamagne Foundation. Mr. James Racicot, the Chief of Party and USAID contractor for LUWASH, emphasized the importance of utilizing the grants effectively to meet the LUWASH goals of reducing cholera transmission, morbidity, and mortality rates in Lagos State, while fostering behavioral changes to prevent communicable diseases and improve WASH facilities in low-income communities.
At the workshop, Racicot expressed confidence in the grantees’ potential to achieve their objectives, underscoring that the selected organizations play a crucial role in fulfilling the overall outputs and objectives of the LUWASH activity. He urged the grantees to leverage the training and orientation provided to ensure effective grant management, with a focus on successful implementation and outcomes.
The LUWAS
H initiative encompasses several components, including infrastructure development for water supply, governance, and support for institutional stakeholders. The CAREVO fund, part of the grants under the contract program, targets specific needs identified in recent times or persisting for years.
Awardees reiterated their commitment to realizing USAID/LUWASH objectives. Dr. Mimidoo Achakpa of the Women’s Right to Education Programme stated that her organization would increase advocacy efforts to combat cholera outbreaks, engaging with governments and stakeholders to build capacity and conduct training sessions. Meanwhile, Mr. Julius Akwashiki of JAM Foundation highlighted plans to address fecal sludge treatment issues in Lagos, aiming to enhance sludge treatment and reduce environmental health burdens.
Dr. Timothy Akinmurele of Equitable Health Access Initiative described the grant as a chance to boost advocacy against cholera across seven Local Government Areas in Lagos, focusing on reaching schools, marketpl
aces, and communities with prevention methods and resources. The LUWASH project seeks to educate communities on cholera causes and prevention, ensuring a comprehensive public health approach.