Access to clean and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) remains a significant challenge in the newly established Wau Waria District. According to the Morobe Provincial Health Authority data, the district reports 6,000 WaSH-related illnesses annually, with frequent water supply issues often leading to school suspensions.
As part of the MoU agreement between DNPM WaSH PMU and Wau Waria District, efforts are underway to develop the Wau Waria District WaSH Plan. The development of the District WaSH Plan follows a step-by-step process, with a strong emphasis on a bottom-up approach, starting from WaSH data collection through to the development of the final plan that informs budget allocation.
With support from DNPM WaSH PMU, the Wau Waria District Administration has initiated this process by hosting the MIS (mWater) Enumerator Training at the Women’s Resource Center in Wau Rural LLG this week. A total of 40 participants—including 13 from Wau Urban LLG, 13 from Wau Waria LLG, and 14 from Wau Rural—are currently attending the workshop. The training is designed to equip participants with the skills to use the mWater mobile app survey forms to conduct a district-wide WaSH baseline survey, gathering crucial WaSH data from schools, communities, and healthcare facilities. The data collected will directly inform the development of the District WaSH Plan.
Wau Waria District has shown a strong commitment to addressing WaSH challenges by proactively taking steps toward developing its District WaSH Plan. Through this collaborative effort, the district is laying the foundation for long-lasting improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene services. With clear leadership and a dedicated vision, Wau Waria is on the path to improving the well-being of its communities, schools, and healthcare facilities, ensuring that safe water and sanitation are accessible to all.