USAID/WEST AFRICA MUNICIPAL WASH: YEAR 1 QUARTERLY REPORT 2, JANUARY – MARCH 2020

The objective of MuniWASH is to support city governments, national directorates and agencies, utilities, and service providers to sustain and expand city-wide water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to fill critical needs that reach poor and underserved community members in priority municipalities. The Activity is identifying opportunities to provide technical assistance to other West African countries to improve and expand urban WASH services. MuniWASH is collaborating with the African Water Association (AfWA) as a learning partner to capture lessons and help guide urban WASH programming. The Activity focuses on four key areas: financial sustainability and private sector investment, operational reliability, municipal governance and management, and regional learning and knowledge sharing. These areas are critical to bridging the gap between country national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The MuniWASH Activity is being implemented in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, with a focus on priority municipalities. The Activity is working with city governments, national directorates and agencies, utilities, and service providers to improve WASH service delivery. This includes providing technical assistance, capacity building, and support for infrastructure development and maintenance. The Activity is also identifying opportunities to provide technical assistance to other West African countries to improve and expand urban WASH services. This will help to leverage resources and expertise to support the development of sustainable and equitable WASH services in the region. The MuniWASH Activity is being implemented by Tetra Tech, with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity is being managed by a team of experts with experience in WASH programming, project management, and technical assistance. The Activity is being implemented in accordance with the USAID Contract No. 720624119F00001, which outlines the scope of work, deliverables, and performance metrics for the Activity. The Activity is also being monitored and evaluated through a robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan, which includes regular reporting, data collection, and analysis. The MuniWASH Activity is making progress in its first year, with several key activities and accomplishments reported in this quarterly report. These include the selection and feasibility studies for municipal water and sanitation projects, grants under contract, and gender analysis and strategy development. The Activity is also making progress in its service areas, including financial sustainability and private sector investment, operational reliability, municipal governance and management, and regional learning and knowledge sharing. The Activity is facing several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which has impacted project implementation and stakeholder engagement. However, the Activity is adapting to these challenges and is working to mitigate their impact on project outcomes. The Activity is also identifying opportunities to leverage resources and expertise to support the development of sustainable and equitable WASH services in the region. The MuniWASH Activity is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of poor and underserved community members in Benin and Côte d'Ivoire. The Activity is working to improve WASH service delivery, increase access to safe and reliable water and sanitation services, and promote sustainable and equitable WASH services in the region.