WRC and UNICEF join hands for sustainable water and sanitation
The partnership was timely, given the ever-increasing importance of climate change globally and within the region and this country.
The Water Research Commission (WRC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) have joined hands for sustainable water and sanitation.
The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding in Pretoria, Lynnwood, last Friday to establish a framework for strategic collaboration, according to WRC communication officer Sifiso Mazibuko.
“The purpose was for the organisations to facilitate, support and implement joint water resources and ecosystems, water sanitation and hygiene, water quality and climate change,” said Mazibuko.
“It would further facilitate food systems and nutrition, youth and sanitation as well as citizen science projects in Southern African and potentially beyond.”
WRC CEO Dr Jennifer Molwantwa applauded Unicef’s efforts in the partnership.
“The WRC and Unicef have already jointly implemented several activities including a community roadshow on international cooperation and best practice on citizen science engagement in water and sanitation programmes, projects and activities.
“This partnership signals Unicef’s greater commitment to being part of the broader solutions in the water and sanitation space,” she said.
Molwantwa’s words were echoed by her counterpart, Unicef’s country representative, Christine Muhigana.
Muhigana said the partnership was timely, given the ever-increasing importance of climate change globally and within the region.
“The reality is that children are greatly affected by climate change and there is a critical need to act collectively to mitigate this global crisis.
“As an agency with a dual humanitarian-development mandate, we can serve children both during sudden-onset climate impacts and slower-emerging effects.
“We at Unicef South Africa look forward to this exciting partnership with the WRC,” she said.
The two organisations will cooperate in key areas through:
– Collaborative research as per areas of mutual interest to be agreed upon during the technical steering committee meetings (TSC).
– Knowledge exchange through study visits, workshops, dialogues and other activities with a special focus on children, youth, women, and other vulnerable groups.
– Capacity building to bridge the skills gaps through training and educational programmes with a special focus on children, youth, women, and other vulnerable groups.
– Solution demonstration through support to proof of concept and modelling of new technologies and solutions in South Africa, Africa and beyond.
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