This looks really good based on areas that have been addressed. Would be great to see the english version of this. When do you think the WASH and nut strategy would come in English?

Will look forward to that as we are trying to attempt something similar here in India. Warm regards.

Hi Carlotta

Thanks for your response.

We would be most obliged if we could have the 300 word summary in English probably accompanied by an image(s) and diagram(s)/illustration(s) for publication in the Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.

Kind regards / Mwaniki

Hi Mwaniki,

Thank you for your interest!

We only have it in French for the moment, although I hope it will be translated in English. Would you like to publish a 300 words summary in English or in French?

Kind regards,
Carlotta

Hi Carlotta,

Avez-vous le "Wash in Nut in Sahel" en anglais? Et, dans l'affirmative, comment pourrais-je obtenir le résumé qui est une version abrégée supposons que 300 mots pour publication dans l'édition venant de l'Afrique l'Eau, l'Assainissement et l'Hygiène ?

Salut, compliments / Mwaniki

Dear all,

Following the 2012 nutrition crisis, a Wash in Nut strategy in Sahel had been initiated by Unicef and then formalized at the regional level by ACF and other actors (WCARO, West and Central Africa Regional Office). Its objective is to break the vicious circle diarrhoea-malnutrition by integrating nutrition and WASH activities (planning and implementation). It is currently disseminated and implemented in 9 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Senegal and Gambia.

The Wash in Nut strategy in Sahel includes four strategic objectives: 1) Target mother-malnourished child couple, until household level with a community approach. 2) Reinforce the “Wash in Nut” minimum package concept. 3) Enhance behavior change regarding hygiene within households. 4) Target priority zones in collaboration with nutrition experts or food security experts.

In 2013, a capitalization report was elaborated in order to assess the implementation of this Wash in Nut strategy in Sahel and share examples of good and bad practices. (It is only in French for the moment.)




In July 2014, a 3-day Revision Workshop took place in Dakar, Senegal, gathering 30 participants from 8 Sahelian countries, working for Unicef, NGOs and Ministries of Health.

Summary of the Capitalization report of the Wash in Nut Strategy in Sahel:

The results presented in the report are divided into 4 sections:

1) Targeting: There is a debate regarding eligibility criteria. Activities already implemented are focusing on health and nutrition centers, and very few activities are implemented at the community level.

2) Coherence of the strategy at the national level: the Wash in Nut regional strategy defined, for each of the 3 targets (health centers; mother/malnourished child couples; communities) a minimum Wash package. However, definitions of the minimum packages need to be clarified and harmonized.

3) Coordination: Wash and Nutrition sectors’ coordination is difficult to put in place. A good understanding of the causes of malnutrition is necessary.

4) Monitoring & evaluation: two regional indicators have been identified but are not systematically used.

Summary of Strategy Revision Workshop (Dakar, July 2014)

Group discussions were based on 5 topics: 1) Targeting 2) Wash in Nut interventions, and more particularly the definition of Wash minimum packages and of Hygiene kits 3) Coordination of sectors and actors 4) Monitoring and evaluation 5) Impact assessment and operational research. Each group discussion was followed by restitution and plenary discussion.

Some important points need further discussion, such as the content of hygiene, or eligibility criteria. This workshop was only the first step of the revision process: by mid-August, the Sahelian countries’ Wash in Nut actors will be provided with a report of the workshop, and the discussions will be pursued at national level for a few weeks.

I will make sure to share the Workshop report with you as soon as it is available.

Please do not hesitate to share your thoughts on this topic. What do you think about the idea of a Wash in Nut regional strategy? Do you think the Sahelian experience can be replicated elsewhere?

Best,
Carlotta