Why WASH

Access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene practices remains a significant challenge in Somalia, where decades of conflict, recurrent droughts, and displacement have devastated infrastructure and public health systems. In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which call for universal WASH access by 2030, PASOS is dedicated to closing these gaps to improve health outcomes and foster community resilience.

Somalia’s population faces daunting WASH related challenges: millions lack access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation facilities, leading to the spread of preventable diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia which remain among the leading causes of child mortality in the country. The lack of adequate WASH services also contributes to poor school attendance, especially among girls, due to inadequate menstrual hygiene management.

Global evidence underscores the critical importance of WASH interventions: improved water sources can reduce diarrheal disease by 21%, while enhanced water quality interventions, such as point-of-use treatment, can lower diarrhea episodes by 45%. Proper hygiene practices, especially handwashing with soap, can reduce child mortality by over 50%. School-based WASH programs have been shown to boost attendance by more than 60%, highlighting the multifaceted benefits of comprehensive WASH access.

PASOS WASH Programmatic Focus in Somalia

In response to these urgent needs, PASOS delivers integrated WASH programs fitted to Somalia’s unique humanitarian and development context focusing on: 

• Water Access and Quality: PASOS develops and rehabilitates water infrastructure including water catchments, shallow wells, and boreholes to provide sustainable access to safe and potable water for households, pastoralist communities and their livestock. By improving water availability and quality, PASOS reduces the incidence of waterborne diseases and supports livelihood resilience amid Somalia’s recurring droughts.
• Sanitation Facilities: PASOS constructs and rehabilitates culturally appropriate and gender-sensitive sanitation facilities in both rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. These facilities help reduce open defecation, minimize contamination risks, and protect public health by interrupting the transmission of hygiene-related illness.
• Hygiene Promotion and Behavior Change: Recognizing that infrastructure alone is insufficient, PASOS implements comprehensive hygiene education programs. These include training on handwashing with soap, safe water handling, menstrual hygiene management, and environmental cleanliness. Through community outreach, school programs, and engagement with women’s groups, PASOS fosters sustainable behavior change that enhances individual and community health.

Impact and Sustainability

PASOS emphasizes community participation and local ownership to ensure the sustainability of WASH interventions. We engage local leaders, water committees, and health volunteers in the management and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities. By linking WASH improvements with broader health and nutrition programs, PASOS maximizes impact on child survival, maternal health, and overall community wellbeing. In addition, PASOS prioritizes inclusion by addressing the specific needs of vulnerable populations such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and displaced communities to ensure equitable access to WASH services.

Invitation for Partnership

PASOS calls upon donors, partners, and stakeholders to join us in scaling sustainable WASH solutions in Somalia. Together we can help realize the global vision of universal access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and improved hygiene  transforming health outcomes and empowering communities to thrive.