The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced the allocation of N1.72 billion in grants to bolster cholera prevention and sanitation efforts in Lagos State. The funding, directed through the Lagos Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (LUWASH) program, aims to enhance public health infrastructure and improve hygiene conditions in vulnerable communities.
Eight local organizations are set to receive the grants, which were formally announced during a two-day workshop in Lagos, where the new grantees underwent orientation and were officially inducted into the LUWASH initiative. The program is part of USAID’s broader strategy to tackle waterborne diseases, including cholera, by improving sanitation practices and community awareness.
James Racicot, Chief of Party for the LUWASH project, emphasized that the initiative is designed to reduce the transmission, morbidity, and mortality rates associated with cholera in the state. “We are confident that the organizations receiving these grants will make significant contributions towards achieving the program’s goals,” Racicot said during the orientation session.
The grants were awarded to organizations that demonstrated strong capacity to meet LUWASH’s objectives of improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, particularly in underserved and low-income communities. Racicot highlighted that the program not only focuses on infrastructure development but also aims to foster behavioral change within communities to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Key Beneficiaries of the LUWASH Grants
The recipients of the grants include a diverse range of community-based organizations (CBOs), each tasked with addressing specific aspects of cholera prevention and sanitation. The beneficiaries are:
- 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
- Chamagne Foundation
These organizations will play a pivotal role in raising awareness, improving sanitation infrastructure, and providing cholera prevention education to vulnerable populations across Lagos.
Commitment to Cholera Eradication
Grantees have expressed their dedication to maximizing the impact of the funding. Dr. Mimidoo Achakpa from the Women’s Right to Education Programme emphasized the importance of advocacy and collaboration with local stakeholders to strengthen community capacities in combating cholera.
Meanwhile, Mr. Julius Akwashiki of the JAM Foundation outlined plans to upgrade a dilapidated faecal sludge treatment plant in Oregun, highlighting the growing sanitation challenges posed by Lagos’ rapid population growth. “Our intervention will help regulate waste disposal and significantly reduce health risks associated with poor sanitation,” Akwashiki said.
Expanding Community Outreach for Cholera Prevention
The grant funding will also enable organizations to expand outreach efforts in high-risk areas. Dr. Timothy Akinmurele of the Equitable Health Access Initiative emphasized that the grant would allow them to focus on seven local government areas at high risk for cholera outbreaks. Akinmurele stated that their program would target schools, marketplaces, and other community hubs to educate the public on cholera prevention.
USAID’s Continued Support for WASH Initiatives
USAID’s LUWASH program remains a cornerstone of its efforts to improve water and sanitation conditions in Nigeria. The agency’s grants are expected to drive meaningful progress towards a cholera-free Lagos, with an emphasis on sustainable, community-led solutions and infrastructural improvements.
As part of its long-term commitment to addressing WASH challenges in Nigeria, LUWASH plans to expand its engagement with local organizations, ensuring that efforts to combat cholera and improve sanitation are both impactful and sustainable.
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With the new funding and enhanced partnerships, LUWASH is positioning Lagos to make significant strides toward eradicating cholera and improving public health infrastructure across the state.
