Climate-sensitive WASH capacities

Strengthening Local Climate-Sensitive and Universal WASH Capacities

Climate and environmental aspects are closely linked to the topics of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as they have a direct impact on the availability and quality of water resources and on the infrastructure for sanitation. Climate change is increasingly leading to extreme weather events such as droughts and floods, which exacerbate water scarcity and jeopardise hygiene supplies in many regions. At the same time, inadequate sanitation contributes to environmental pollution, for example through the contamination of water bodies with untreated wastewater. Sustainable WASH systems therefore play a central role in adapting to climate change and reducing environmental pollution by ensuring access to safe drinking water, recycling wastewater and promoting hygienic living conditions. Such approaches are essential to protect the health of the population and preserve ecosystems at the same time.

The ECT WASH project, “Environmentally Sound and Climate Resilient Transformation of Humanitarian WASH”, aimed between 2024 and 2026 to promote climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services. The focus was on strengthening local capacities to improve access to clean water and adequate sanitation while integrating climate-sensitive and ecologically sustainable approaches into humanitarian actions.

In collaboration with Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), arche noVa e.V., and local partner organizations, the program was implemented in countries particularly affected by climate change and natural disasters. Target countries included:

• Africa: Niger, Mali, Somalia/Somaliland, Ethiopia
• Asia: Myanmar, Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh
• MENA Region: Lebanon, Iraq
• Central America and the Caribbean: Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti

The project adopted a holistic approach by integrating climate, environmental, and inclusive aspects into all phases of humanitarian WASH interventions. Special emphasis was placed on anticipatory humanitarian action and disaster risk management. The application of Green Humanitarian Assistance reduces the environmental impact of humanitarian aid while adapting measures to the specific climate and environmental risks. This not only helped protect lives and livelihoods but also contributed to the global goal of universal access to water and sanitation.

The German Toilet Organization played a central role in building the capacities of project implementers, fostering networking and knowledge exchange within the WASH sector, and advancing the dissemination of innovative, climate-resilient approaches through international partnerships.

The ECT project activities from 2024/2025 are summarised in an impact report: impact-report-ect-wash-programme-2024-2025.pdf.

Furthermore a final impact report has been published: final-impact-report-ect-wash-programme-2024-2025.pdf.