Working Paper 13. Improving WASH information for better service delivery in Ethiopia. Scoping report of initiatives

Abstract

Key decisions in policy-making, planning, budgeting, reporting, and evaluation in water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) are all reliant on information about access and the quality of service delivery. Accurate data on WASH services within woredas (the equivalent of districts in Ethiopia) are vital for making effective new investments and maintaining existing infrastructure. Decision-making after all can only be as good as the underlying information. It is widely recognised that current WASH information is not adequate, and there are serious efforts at national and regional (for example in SNNPR) level to improve sector information systems. To support these efforts to improve the use of woreda inventory and information management systems, RiPPLE undertook a scoping study to assess the status of the many current initiatives and to understand and start to share an analysis of the key issues. Recommendations are made for improving WASH data management, putting data to use, and coordinating and sharing best practice. The study is intended to inform follow up research and learning activities