by Ncaba Ntshakala
World Vision Eswatini (WVE) has unveiled plans to invest over E125 million in its ambitious initiative to achieve universal water coverage across 15 Area Programmes.
This substantial commitment forms part of a project valued at over E250 million. This was contained in the organisation’s report for the financial year 2023–2024.
In the report, WVE emphasized its dedication to enhancing access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Eswatini.
RELATED: Hunger is rising fast in Eswatini; World Vision calls for urgent intervention
The organization asserted that it continues to advocate for a collaborative or co-financing partnership with the government to realize this vision.
According to the report, the WASH programme has already achieved a performance rate of 103% towards its set targets for FY24, a notable improvement from the 91% reported in FY23.
This progress was said to reflect significant strides in ensuring sustainable access to clean water and improved hygiene practices in communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.
The report also highlights that WVE’s interventions go beyond infrastructure, focusing on safeguarding the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.
Targeted strategies are in place to protect children from infection and disease while improving maternal and child health outcomes.
The organization ensures that children aged 0–6 years and their mothers access essential health and nutrition services.
These efforts are part of a comprehensive approach aimed at building resilience within communities and reducing the incidence of preventable diseases.
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), adolescent boys and young men (ABYM), and caregivers are also central to WVE’s interventions.
Programs designed to prevent the spread of HIV focus on education, care, and support for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
The organization added that it provides resources to encourage HIV testing, adherence to treatment, and community-level follow-ups for defaulters, particularly children and adolescents living with HIV.
Again, the report’s statistics illustrate the scope of WVE’s impact where 20,023 children under five received growth monitoring services;
RELATED: EmaSwati save E17.8 million through World Vision
5,456 individuals accessed HIV Testing Services (HTS) at the community level; and 1,733 children and adolescents living with HIV were enrolled in adherence support programs.
Additionally, 22,260 AGYW benefitted from HIV prevention education, while 6,134 caregivers received maternal and child health support.
To further enhance community health, 547 Community Health Workers and Volunteers were trained, which ensured sustainable implementation of these critical programs.
