Water for Africa through Leadership and Institutional Support (WALIS) Quarterly Report FY21 Q4

The program aims to bolster the ability of African leaders, donors, and stakeholders to better use existing data and analyses to shape national water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) policy, planning, and budgets to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program has four core task areas: Task 1, which involves developing, monitoring, and analyzing sound sector data; Task 2, which focuses on targeted research and pilot activities around identified sector constraints; Task 3, which strengthens country systems to develop informed policy and improve sector planning toward sustainable WASH services; and Task 4, which increases the capacity required to support improved collection and use of sector knowledge. In year six of the program, a scope of work was co-created with USAID to support USAID's Internal WASH Strategic Approach to COVID-19. The four COVID-19 and WASH Response task areas for Program Year 6 are: Task 1, which involves developing, monitoring, and analyzing sound sector data to inform COVID-19 response and/or resource allocation; Task 2, which engages in the gathering and dissemination of critical information and data to African Governments; Task 3, which strengthens country systems and engages and informs sector policy that allows for the continuance and improvement of WASH service delivery; and Task 4, which increases the capacity of African Regional Institutions to improve the collection and use of sector knowledge to respond to COVID-19 coordination and monitoring needs. The three Intermediate Results (IRs) for WALIS remain the same for the entirety of the WALIS Program. These IRs are referenced in the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Monitoring Table found in Annex A of this Quarterly Report. The quarterly report provides key highlights from FYQ4, with a focus on the results of each technical activity. The report also includes a section on the WALIS Program's external communication actions and program administration. The program has a strong focus on communication, with a range of activities aimed at engaging with stakeholders and disseminating information to African Governments. The WALIS program has a number of key partners, including USAID, African Regional Institutions, and local governments. The program's financial accruals and projections are also reported on in the quarterly report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the program's progress and achievements, and highlights the importance of continued support for the program's goals and objectives. The WALIS program's technical activities are focused on four key areas: WASH and COVID-19 Response, Communications, Program Administration, and Partnerships. The WASH and COVID-19 Response activity involves developing, monitoring, and analyzing sound sector data to inform COVID-19 response and/or resource allocation, engaging in the gathering and dissemination of critical information and data to African Governments, strengthening country systems and engaging and informing sector policy that allows for the continuance and improvement of WASH service delivery, and increasing the capacity of African Regional Institutions to improve the collection and use of sector knowledge to respond to COVID-19 coordination and monitoring needs. The Communications activity involves a range of external communication actions, including the development of reports, briefs, and other materials to engage with stakeholders and disseminate information to African Governments. The Program Administration activity involves the management of the program's finances, personnel, and logistics. The Partnerships activity involves the development and maintenance of partnerships with key stakeholders, including USAID, African Regional Institutions, and local governments. The WALIS program's achievements are significant, with a number of key outcomes reported on in the quarterly report. These include the development of sound sector data to inform COVID-19 response and/or resource allocation, the engagement of African Governments in the gathering and dissemination of critical information and data, the strengthening of country systems and the engagement and informing of sector policy, and the increase in the capacity of African Regional Institutions to improve the collection and use of sector knowledge to respond to COVID-19 coordination and monitoring needs. Overall, the WALIS program is a critical initiative aimed at improving access to clean water and improved sanitation in Africa. The program's achievements are significant, and its continued support is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).