Dear Benny,

Thank you for this important reminder,  The link between water and sanitation cannot be overstated, access to clean water underpins safe sanitation practices. On the other extreme, flood events can severely disrupt sanitation systems, contaminate water sources, and lead to disease outbreaks. It’s a strong reminder of why integrated water and sanitation planning is essential, especially as climate change continues to intensify these challenges.

With countries like Zambia and others in the region (in the last 3 years especially)  experiencing these extreme whether events alternating between drought in 1 year and floods the next, one wonders whether our planning, systems and cross sectors approaches are building stronger and resilient interventions to cope.....

Regards,
Chaiwe

Africa is drying!

Across the continent, rivers are receding, wells are emptying, and communities are being pushed to the edge. In Zambia and many other countries, the dry season brings more than heat, it brings desperation. Drought is no longer a seasonal inconvenience. It's a deepening crisis that affects every part of life: from health and food security to education and economic survival.

Drought is not just a weather event, but rather it's a systemic threat

It dries out crops, worsens hunger, and puts unbearable strain on energy systems dependent on hydropower. It especially burdens women and girls, who walk long distances in search of water, risking their safety and missing school or income-generating activities.

At the heart of this crisis lies an even more fundamental challenge: the lack of basic Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. Over 400 million people in Africa lack access to safe water. Nearly 800 million live without basic sanitation, and over 800 million without hygiene facilities. These gaps lead to preventable diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, and typhoid, especially affecting children under five.

While the international community has pushed for progress under the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, progress in Africa remains uneven. Rural and poor urban communities are consistently left behind, and the impact is visible: sick children, shuttered clinics, low school attendance, and stagnant local economies.

Investment in WASH pays off

Studies show that for every dollar invested, there is up to a sevenfold return through better health, productivity, and reduced healthcare costs. But challenges remain: imported equipment is costly, local manufacturing is weak, and many WASH projects fail due to lack of community involvement and poor maintenance.

Countries like Ethiopia have made notable progress by integrating water, health, and education sectors under initiatives like the 'ONE WASH'  program. Such coordinated, community-driven models should be scaled across the continent. Similarly, Zambia must prepare for worsening droughts by strengthening water infrastructure, boosting local innovation, and ensuring no region is left behind.

The path forward must prioritize urgency, equity, and sustainability

Governments must lead with stronger policies and funding. Development partners must support locally owned solutions. Communities must be empowered from the start because no WASH system can succeed without those who rely on it.

The time for scattered efforts is over. Water is not a privilege, it is a right. The dry seasons will keep coming, but their devastation can be prevented. The future of Africa depends on the choices we make now.