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Published on: 05/07/2019

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso relevant building blocks

Political commitment: essential for systems change

"Our vision is clear. By 2030, dynamic communal governance will have made Banfora a reference in terms of access to sustainable drinking water and sanitation services everywhere, for everyone and at any time." - Aboubakar Hema, Mayor of Banfora

Mayor of Banfora

We launched the master plan with our partner district, Banfora, in June. It sets out the strategic steps needed to achieve access to safe and sustainable WASH services for all people in Banfora. The commitment of local government to this goal is remarkable. The Mayor is leading the plan's implementation with support from IRC and key partners working in the district.

We've also noticed increased political commitment at national level. In November, members of Parliament invited our country director, Juste Nansi, to speak about what it will take to achieve SDG6 in Burkina Faso. Before this, there was little awareness in Parliament about the complexity of WASH challenges.

"The dignity of the Burkinabè should be built by Burkinabè themselves".

This is the main message of Fasotoilettes, a systems-changing activity we designed and continue to support. It is co-ordinated by the Ministry of Water and championed by the First Lady of Burkina Faso, Ms. Sika Kabore. The aim is to motivate people who have sufficient means to help install a sanitation facility for a relative or a friend who lacks one. IRC Netherlands organised the 'Run for the Toilet' in March and raised 4,000 euros for Fasotoilettes. The funds supported an awareness-raising event in Banfora. With temperatures at 35°C – 200 people 'ran for the toilet'. In the end, nearly 500 people agreed to build a facility for a family member. By December 2018, 2,000 citizens had committed to pay for 11,000 latrines in Burkina Faso.

 Burkina Faso at a glance

1 Purchasing power parity (PPP) is a popular metric used by macroeconomic analysts to compare economic productivity and standards of living between countries.
2 Water coverage percentages refer to services that are at least basic = improved source within 30 minutes round trip collection time.
3 Sanitation coverage percentages refer to services that are at least basic = use of improved facilities which are not shared with other households. These definitions applies to all country infographics.

Each of our focus countries have stories to tell. From supporting the development of master plans in our partner districts to running in the heat to raise awareness and motivate action for improved sanitation. Look out for next week's country highlight.
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