Community Water Alliance

FIELD ASSESSMENT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF TUTA TRAPS

07/09/2024

Background

In support of environment friendly integrated pest management strategies, Community Water Alliance in partnership with Buhera Women Farmers Cooperative installed tuta traps on a one hectare tomato field managed a group of smallholder women farmers. 8 tuta traps were installed as baseline to establish over time, effectiveness and presence of tuta in the field.

Results of Field Monitoring

1) There is presence of tuta in the field as reflected on the traps.

2) Pheromone traps have proved to be efficient on ensuring that the tomato is not affected by tuta. Effectiveness will be determined at the end of the harvest.

3) Pheromone traps enhance participatory process that support sharing of lessons and recommendations among smallholder farmers who have support of local Agriculture Extension Officers.

Based on these findings, a meeting was convened with farmers to frame way forward. The agreement reached included consulting with agronomists to formulate a succinct integrated pest management strategy.

COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE INFORMATION DEPT

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL SERVICES/MANAGEMENT

28/08/2024

Community Water Alliance today trained the Executive Committee of Buhera Women Farmers' Co-operative on installation of pheromone lure for Tomato Leaf Miner (Tuta).

The training was carried out in the field on one of the 1 hectare tomato plot managed by Buhera Women Farmers' Cooperative. This is part of ongoing support to smallholder women farmers in our efforts to build adaptive, absorptive and transformative capacities to climate change; focusing on economic resilience and food security.

The Tuta Traps installed today allow farmers to:

1) Prevent further mating and spread of the disease in the field.
2) Support efforts on environment friendly methods on integrated pest management.
3) Set a baseline that help them monitor and evaluation effectiveness of the method on preventing spread of Tuta.

The solar powered borehole installed in the 2021 is still supporting small agribusiness activities by smallholder women farmers.

NB: On the picture is the Chairperson of Buhera Women Farmers' Co-operative and one of the Committee members.

COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE STATEMENT ON THE 44TH SADC SUMMIT

15 August 2024

As the Heads of States and Governments prepare to convene on the 17th of August 2024 in Harare, Zimbabwe under the theme: “Promoting innovation to unlock opportunities for sustained economic growth and development towards an industrialized SADC”, the WASH, Environment and Climate movement shares the contextual realities facing citizens and proffer ideas on what needs urgent attention in the region.

Context in Relation to WASH, Environment & Climate
1) The Regional WASH Crisis
As Heads of States and Governments meet this August it is important to take note that as of 11 April 2024, Zimbabwe recorded 31,705 cumulative suspected cholera cases and 596 cumulative suspected deaths (Cholera Sitrep, Ministry of Health). This outbreak of cholera has a regional presence within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region, with Chilangwa, Chongwe and Lusaka districts affected in Zambia; Chikwawa district in Malawi and 30,000 confirmed cases in Beira, Nhamatanda, Marromeu, Quelimane, Chimoio, Memba and Nacala Porto districts in Mozambique. Almost 40% of people in the SADC region have no access to safe water, leaving them vulnerable to water-borne diseases. Besides limited potable water supply, a large portion of rural communities within the region continue to practice Open Defecation posing a serious challenge to health and hygiene. Mpox is currently running amok in the region.
High volumes of solid waste being generated within suburbs are increasing at faster rates than the expansion of solid waste management control measures, improvement on financial and technical resources needed to parallel this growth by local authorities in SADC. The solid waste management challenges in SADC are caused by a linear non-cyclical way of treating waste anchored on the "collect, transport and throw away" approach which has failed since the attainment of independence by majority of states within SADC. Solid waste continues to be viewed outside the circular economy cycle of production, consumption and recovery. Centralized landfills have birthed Short Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCP) through generating methane and black carbon which comes with the burning of uncollected solid waste within communities.
The root causes to this WASH crisis within the region revolves around paltry national budget allocations to deal with obsolete infrastructure; poor expenditure tracking mechanism on national budgets; archaic and poor strategic frameworks and failure to adequately locate access to WASH within the context of varying and changing climatic patterns. Constitutional provisions on the human rights to WASH have therefore not been converted into the lived realities of citizens in the SADC Region.

2) The Regional Environment Challenge
Two main challenges pose a threat to integrity of the ecological environment in SADC and these are: (1) depletion of the natural habitat, wetland ecosystems and catchments, (2) mining by large corporates coming as “investors” in the region. These threats to the environment have been caused by majority of international “investors”, with the Chinese leading on land degradation, pollution of water bodies as well as destruction of wetlands and catchments. The common denominator when it comes to root causes is a weak Environmental Impact Assessment Framework supported by elite capture of institutions whose responsibility is to protect the environment. The common phrase “he who pays the piper controls the tune” has found meaning in the way Environmental Impact Assessments are done within SADC.

3) Climate Change Resilience, Adaptation and Mitigation
Changing and varying climatic patterns in the region have affected food, water, energy and nutrition security. Droughts and cyclones have been hitting nations within the region. Elnino currently has negatively affected food, water and nutrition security. The drought is coming soon after Cyclone Idai which has created serious internal displacements. Whilst SADC nations both before and after independence believed so much in local ownership of the means of production, land tenure system for communal lands has been designed in such a way that citizens are beholden to centre-politics and control. Local communities still have not been allowed to own land or have some form of title that allows them to directly engage financiers and unlock potential that can pull them out of poverty, food and nutrition insecurity. While socialism agenda pushes for black ownership of land, our citizens within rural communities continue to have the land owned on their behalf. The result has been neglected “reserves” where food aid is weaponized to control the masses. Such a framework is anathema to the ideals of the liberation struggles whose mission focused on land ownership by the majority of the populace and not elites within commercial lands. Despite abundance of solar energy, not much is being done to harness the resource to improve energy security.
A SADC Summit that neglects these realities of our citizens and focuses on other issues outside the political economy of WASH, Environment and Climate, IS A WORTHLESS TALK-SHOW. In all these issues, women and young people bear the burden on exclusive and gender-blind responses.

OUR DEMANDS TO HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS
Based on areas requiring priorities as reflected in the above contextual analysis, we are demanding:
1) A SADC resolution to not less than 15% of national fiscal commitments to WASH. The Abuja declaration established 15% threshold for health and WASH cannot be an exception. The cholera outbreaks and Mpox express the need to prioritize WASH. Climate change also requires that we prioritize WASH issues.
2) A Regional position that focuses on a system of checks and balances on Environmental Impact Assessments, with particular focus on preserving wetlands, catchments, forests as well as prevention of land degradation.
3) Signing of the Southern African Development Community’s Hygiene Strategy by all member states.
4) Review of rural land tenure system to allow vulnerable communities to move towards economic independence, food and nutrition security.
5) Investments in clean forms of energy and smallholder agricultural enterprises particularly within rural communities and women and youths as marginalized groups.
//END
For more information contact Goodlife on +263775255458

CSOs PRESENT A DRAFT MODEL WATER BY-LAW TO THE MAYOR OF HARARE.

24/07/2024

Community Water Alliance in partnership with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Zimbabwe and other Civil Society organizations developed a draft model water by-law which was presented to the mayor of Harare His Worship Cllr Jacob Mafume. The event was held at Town House today.

The draft madel water by-law is meant to address outdated laws like the Government Notice 164 of 1913 which is being currently used by local authorities. The issue of wetlands preservation and proper management of catchments are also captured in the draft water by-law.

City of Harare welcomed the development and applauded the CSOs for the noble initiative. From his remarks after the presentation of the by-law, the mayor highlighted that the by-law shall be tabled before the responsible committee for a closer analysis. The draft by-law will be later discussed in full council meeting.
The City of Harare Chra Harare Kudzai Chatiza



CWA INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

WASH, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE TRAINING WORKSHOP HELD IN HARARE.

30/05/2024

Community Water Alliance held a 2 day workshop in Glenview to address WASH, Climate and Environment issues.

The main objective of the workshop is to capacitate and establish strong citizenry with knowledge on WASH (water sanitation and hygiene), Environment and Climate. The main focus was centered on Solid waste management and preservation of wetlands as well as Climate issues. Short-lived Climate Pollutants that have a negative impact on WASH services was also part of the training objectives.

The training was meant to develop capacity and empower Antilitre monitors and ordinary citizens particularly women from Glenview and Budiriro. Communities should understand the context around WASH, Environment and Climate issues that enable them to develop tailored solutions and to foster a sense of ownership leading to a greater accountability and sustainability society.

Glenview and Budiriro are cholera hotspot areas and the WASH movement building is meant to develop capacity to promote WASH justice issues, waste management and climate change issues. A number of issues were picked from the participants during the insightful workshop which include shortage of water , proliferation of dumpsites, no refuse collection and unattended sewer bursts to mention a few.

The training workshop touched on the laws, policies and regulations to do with WASH, Environment and Climate, a development that allows communities understand legal processes to follow when demanding for better WASH services.

The participants welcomed the idea of building a WASH movement to advocate for better budget allocations towards WASH services both at national and at local authorities level. An increase in budget on WASH to at least 15 percent will improve access to sustainable and affordable WASH services among other important services.

Join us in promoting WASH justice and building a sustainable future for everyone







COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE INFORMATION DPT

Good morning

Our live broadcast will be delayed by 20 minutes.

We will start at 1030am sharp.

We apologize for any inconveniences caused.

Thank you

*NOTICE OF LIVE BROADCAST ON GEO-POMONA PROJECT*

31/03/2024

Community Water Alliance National Coordinator kindly invite members of the media to a live broadcast on the Geo-Pomona Project.

Details of the Live Broadcast Are As Follows:

Date: 03 April 2024

Venue: TBA

Time: 10 am

Title of Broadcast: *Deleting The Handwriting Of A Curse on Waste Management in Harare: The Pomona Dumpsite Contract*

Agenda:

1) The Detailed Contents of the Pomona Dumpsite Contract, Attached Schedules and the Proposed Addendum

To address ignorance around the Pomona contract and its accompanying schedules, the broadcast will delve into details of the documents.

2) The Reasons Why The Contract Should Be Terminated.

Based on analysis of the contract, its schedules and proposed addendum, the reasoning behind our call for termination of the contract will be explained. We expect prepared interogation of our position.

3) Proposed Way Forward to Address Solid Waste Management Challenges in the City

We do not just critique proposals without offering alternatives. We will lay out our thinking on what need to be done to address waste management challenges in the city.

*NB*

1) Those who want copies of the contract, the schedules and proposed addendum; kindly share whatsapp number. We want an informed discussion and we therefore appeal to citizens to read the contract and engage from an informed basis. Questions, opinions and critiquing our position is very much welcome on our live streaming channels.

2) Live streaming will be done through either Community Water Alliance page: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityWaterAlliance A few live broadcasting channels will be allowed to broadcast live.



*Information Department*

Community Water Alliance Advocacy on Water, Environment and Climate

INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS AS THEY TOUR GEO-POMONA PROJECT SITE

26 March 2024

Critical documents to ask for and use during the tour are Schedules 6 and 13 which speaks to project schedule and performance indicators respectively.

By the end of month 12, which ended on 09 March 2023, Geogenix should have:

1) partially closed existing landfill at Pomona.
2) Improve Pomona landfill's municipal solid waste treatment and management in line with EU directives.
3) Constructed leachate treatment plant.

By month 24 which ended on 09 March 2024, Geogenix should have:

1) Constructed a sorting and recycling plant.
2) Constructed a cell for municipal solid waste.
3) Constructed incinerator first line 500 tonnes per day.
4) Constructed a cell for ashes.

NB: Some facilities were already there before Geogenix came on board.

Widely share this message to allow journalists to have an informative tour.

CWA INFORMATION DEPARTMENT

RESPONSE OF HARARE WATER TO UNAVAILBILITY OF WATER IN BORROWDALE

21/03/24

Water supply has been restored in some parts of Borrowdale. The area had not received water supply from Harare Water since August 2022. In the year 2022, water supply at the above premise was accessed for a period of 6 months through two days’ supply per two weeks. One of the affected streets was Cosham Avenue which had not received water for almost 10 years for the period before August 2022.

Thank you Ms R Sango, Engineer P.M Moyo and your team for responding to this important issue and ensuring availability of potable water in the above mentioned area.

The City of Harare Director Engineer Mabhena Moyo making a presentation on water situation in Harare.

Community Water Alliance in partnership with FES-Zimbabwe and Combined Harare Residents Association are hosting a Water and Climate Justice Indaba which is currently underway in Harare. The objectives of the meeting include:
1) To understand the role of the natural infrastructure in water production and supply

2) To deliberate on the implications of water supply (WASH) challenges on women

3) To share opportunities of strengthening accountability in the water sector

4) To come up with advocacy interventions and recommendations

The Water and Climate Justice Indaba is being attended by women from different suburbs within Harare Metropolitan province. Members of the media, City of Harare officials, VISET representative are in attendance.

Cholera spreading into schools in Buhera.

Schools that have been affected are as follows:

1) Mupeza Primary in ward 2 Buhera Central constituency. There is one death case of a Grade 7 pupil.

2) Mafuruse Primary in Ward 2, Buhera Central. Two death cases of Grade 7 pupils recorded.

3) Zvomwoyo Primary school in ward 22, Buhera central constituency. One confirmed case of the pupils at the school.

4) Mukwasi Primary, ward 12 ,Buhera North constituency. There is one confirmed case of a cholera victim.

5) Mukwasi Secondary School, in ward 12, Buhera North. One confirmed case at the school.

We are appealing to those who can partner us in providing solar powered piped water schemes with inline chlorination system for schools within Buhera. This helps in promoting access to safe potable water at schools in Buhera.

GENDER RESPONSIVE POTABLE WATER EXPO HELD IN BUHERA

On the 4th of July 2023 Community Water Alliance conducted a Gender Responsive Potable Water Expo on WASH delivery in Buhera West. The main objective of the expo was to illustrate how the proposed mini grid piped water schemes work to promote access to potable water and combat water borne diseases like cholera in rural setups.

The introduction of piped water schemes in rural setups like Buhera will reduce the burden on women and girls who are confined by patriarchal society to unpaid household chores like fetching water.

The water expo was also meant to showcase new and available technology, products and innovative solutions which can be used to address water scarcity and conservation within rural communities. The expo was used as an opportunity to raise awareness on efficient methods of water usage that can be used by communities to address water shortage which is a growing concern in most parts of the world.

Buhera is one of the most affected areas that experience drought due to varying and changing climatic patterns. Drought has negatively affected availability of water for both drinking and agricultural purposes.

The water expo provided the community with innovative technology that assist the community to promote gender responsive WASH delivery and practice farming throughout the year by introducing climate smart initiatives like installation of solar powered piped water schemes which provides irrigation making it possible to carry out farming throughout the year.

The event was attended by different stakeholders who include the Headman of the area, Village Heads, Village Health clubs, teachers from local schools, business community and members of the community.

During the expo CWA staff members used the opportunity to demonstrate how the chlorination system works as well as sharing importance of water conservation and sustainable water management practises.



CWA RESEARCH, INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY DPT

GENDER RESPONSIVE WASH DELIVERY WORKSHOP HELD IN BUHERA

20/06/2023

Community Water Alliance conducted a training in Buhera on Gender Responsive Wash Delivery and Participatory health . The training was attended by women from the community, health clubs and village heads. The aim of the workshop was to equip the community with knowledge on hygiene and sanitation so as to influence a social behaviour change in their day to day activities.

Community Water Alliance is working towards improving access to potable water, hygiene standards and sanitation in Buhera.

The Gender Responsive training on WASH Delivery services and Participatory health is an important step in ensuring that women and girls actively participate fully in decision-making process around WASH issues.

The community mapping exercise that was conducted during the training was meant to identify the needs and challenges affecting the community. The information gathered through the mapping exercise will be essential for planning and implementation of effective interventions by stakeholders. The focus on gender was important, as women and girls are often disproportionately affected by poor WASH serviceswithin communities. The training will help to empower women advocating for their own needs.

The challenges identified during the community mapping exercise require a long term solution like introducing mini grid piped water schemes, which is a welcome gesture by the Buhera community. This is a long-term solution that will provide the community with safe and reliable water for drinking and sanitation purposes.




CWA RESEARCH, ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION DPT

https://chng.it/DzP4JfCVNn

Have you seen this petition yet? Save Wetlands To Guarantee Access to Potable Water & Carbon Sequestration

*WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY "BEAT PLASTIC POLLUTION"*

05/06/2023

Community Water Alliance joins the international community in commemorating World Environment Day, which puts a global spotlight on the pressing environmental challenges of our time. This year's theme is "Beat Plastic Pollution." The UN international day has become the largest global platform for environmental outreach, with millions of people from around the world engaging to protect the planet.

As an organization that builds community partnerships and alliances around environmental issues, we are proud to support the Beat Plastic Pollution campaign. We are currently working on a project funded by UNDP-GEF called the Joint Community Waste Management Project (JOCWAM). The project aims to initiate a waste management program that places the reduce, reuse, recycle and recover model at the center of community-based plastics and solid waste management discourse.

Through our project, we are also promoting community stewardship and the 4R model. This means that we are working with communities to view plastic as a resource, not as trash. We are training communities on how to recycle and reuse plastic, and how to earn a living from doing so.

To help reduce plastic pollution, CWA is working with women and youth to collect waste. This waste is then taken to a waste transfer station, where it is sold for profit.

We believe that pet bottles are not waste. Through our project, we are educating communities about the many potential uses of plastic after its initial use. By doing so, we are helping to beat plastic pollution by reducing the environmental footprint of post-consumer plastic and creating a balance between planet and people.

We encourage everyone to join us in the fight against plastic pollution. Together, we can make a difference.





CWA INFORMATION AND ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT

*CHOLERA STATISTICS IN HARARE SHOWS THE NEED FOR GENDER TRANSFORMATIVE APPROACHES*

25/05/2023

Preliminary results of both confirmed and suspected cholera cases in Harare shows the urgent need for gender transformative approaches to both cholera response and WASH interventions in Harare.

As at 22 May 2023, 50.38% of both confirmed and suspected cholera patients were women. 46.24% of confirmed and suspected cholera patients were minors. These statistics show that women are affected more by cholera cases in Harare. The huge number of minors (46.24%) places an extra burden on women, who fulfil unpaid domestic care work like looking after the sick minors at home. Women also carry the burden of looking for water and maintaining hygiene standards at home.

Systems and beliefs beneath surface-level differences in gender roles and relations need to be resolved in our intervention or responses to cholera outbreak in Harare. Community Water Alliance calls for critical examination of local authority practices as well as provision of structured spaces and processes that allow critical examination of beliefs, attitudes and practices around gender among local authority departments responding to cholera in the nation. It is time that gender experts be brought on board in cholera interventions. Conducting social and gender analysis before cholera responses should be encouraged even during emergencies.

*CWA ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT*

*CHOLERA RESPONSE IN HARARE*

19/05/2023

Community Water Alliance as a partner of Oxfam has prepositioned Non-Food Items within affected suburbs in Harare. Non-Food Items will help in improving household hygiene in Kuwadzana, Glen View, Budiriro and Dzivarasekwa. This intervention is one component of our efforts to fight cholera in Harare.

Community Water Alliance is an implementing partner of Oxfam. Oxfam has been helping City of Harare on contact tracing within affected districts. Water trucking and other initiatives will be rolled out in partnership with the City of Harare.

Non-Food Items that will be distributed include jerry cans, buckets with taps, bars of soap, water guard bottles, knapsack spray. These will be distributed to households in our endeavor to support household hygiene.

The water movement implore relevant authorities to increase fiscal allocations on water and sanitation so that cholera is totally eliminated in Zimbabwe. Women are carrying the burden of unpaid care work like fetching water and caring for the sick at home. Increased funding towards access to WASH is a priority as we head towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. It is one area that address issues beneath surface level differences in gender roles and relations.

We are grateful to the support offered by the European Union and UNICEF.



*COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT*

*CWA OBSERVE INTERNATIONAL WORLD WATER DAY*

22/03/2023

Community Water Alliance joins the rest of the international community in commemorating World Water day which is celebrated on the 22nd of March every year, with this year's theme dubbed "accelerate change". World Water Day is celebrated to bring attention to one of the fundamental environmental issues "scarcity of water".We celebrate the day to bring attention to “Scarcity of water.” Water means a lot to us more than just to quench our thirst, but it plays the role of a vital component of human development; This day provides us an opportunity to think about this issue and how we can make a difference.

In Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the situation has not changed as the daily requirement of 1200 megalitres is needed, while the Municipality is currently producing 280 megalitres per day. The design capacity of the water treatment plant is 704 megalitres per day. Wastewater design capacity is 219 megalitres per day and the projected demand for wastewater services by 2025 is 1011 megalitres per day.

Community Water Alliance, a non-profit organization working with other partners, has worked to address these WASH service issues on a national scale. We are an agency that advance access to WASH services, climate resilience and environmental protection. Our mission is to build community partnerships and alliances on WASH, Environment and Climate issues. Our vision is to ensure sustainable and equitable access to WASH services, climate services and environmental protection issues.

This year's theme "accelerate change" seeks to urge the National the government, Local Authorities and Civil society to accelerate progress towards attaining SDG6 which aims to ensure safe, potable and affordable water to the citizens. In the current context where cases of cholera and typhoid are being recorded on a daily basis, access to water plays an essential role as provision of safe water and sanitation is critical to prevention and control transmission of cholera and other water-borne diseases.

We implore the government through Ministry of Finance to review the budget allocation towards wash services by at least 15 perc

*OPERATION CHENESA HARARE PLANNING MEETING HELD IN GLENVIEW*

03/03/2023

Community Water Alliance in collaboration with City of Harare and other stakeholders held a planning meeting as Operation Chenesa Harare is set to commence. The meeting was held at City of Harare Glenview District Offices today.

The main objective of the meeting was to discuss modalities on how the operation can be conducted with input from different stakeholders.

As waste management issues become a serious challenge in Harare, it requires all stakeholders to put hands on the deck and find lasting solutions to address the problem. In order to address the challenge it was agreed that 150 volunteers from all the three wards of Glenview will be identified and help during the cleanup exercise. It was also agreed that the local district office shall engage local business partners to provide support in order to secure tippers and front end loaders as council vehicles are not functioning.

There were discussions around how the cleared dumpsite areas will be protected so that residents will not continue to dump waste. The issue of creating community gardens was sited as one of the solutions to stop residents from dumping waste everywhere within Glenview. Enforcement of Council by-laws will also help reduce the risk of illegal dumpsites being created.

CWA is establishing a waste Collection Centre in Glenview with financial support from UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme. Through the Waste Collection Centre committee CWA will conduct door to door awareness campaigns educating citizens on the importance of promoting the 3R concept in waste management.

The Waste Collection Centre committee shall also distribute 2 bins per household and collect plastic waste for recycling as a way of reducing waste in Glenview. This exercise will compliment efforts by The City of Harare to make Operation Chenesa Harare a success.

*COMMUNITY WATER ALLIANCE INFORMATION DEPARTMENT*