The Liberian Senate has forwarded a communication from Rivercess County Senator, Wellington G. Smith, to its Joint Committee on Public Works, Land and Mines, as well as Health, requesting the government’s intervention in addressing the alarming Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) concerns in rural Liberia.
Senator Smith’s communication highlighted the dire situation, where many communities lack access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation facilities, and hygiene practices, affecting the health, education, and economic well-being of citizens, particularly in rural areas. The Senator emphasized that the current state of WASH in Liberia is a crisis that requires immediate attention and requested that the Senate engage with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to present WASH activities in the country, focusing on the Accelerated Community Development Program (ACDP).
The Senate’s decision aims to address the poor state of WASH in rural Liberia and enhance the social health and economic status of citizens. According to UNICEF, 1.2 million Liberians lack access to clean water, and three out of four people do not have decent toilets, highlighting the need for urgent action. The call for intervention is in line with Liberia’s efforts to address its WASH challenges, including the National WASH Strategy, and the need for increased funding to support WASH infrastructure and maintenance.
