Water Resources Ministry Holds High-Level Donor Summit to Boost WASH Projects

The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation convened a high-level donor summit this week to accelerate the Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Project, aiming to improve water and sanitation services across the country.

Chaired by Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Macarthy, the meeting brought together international partners and key stakeholders to strengthen coordination, ensure efficient resource use, and translate technical and financial support into tangible results for communities nationwide.

Addressing attendees, Dr. Macarthy emphasized that fragmented efforts are no longer sufficient to meet the growing needs of the population. She called for a unified approach to water and sanitation service delivery, aiming to eliminate overlaps and close gaps in access across both urban and rural areas.

“Our objective is clear: improved water and sanitation services for every Sierra Leonean,” the Minister stated. “Water security is a cornerstone of public health, economic stability, and national development.”

The WASH project aims to:

Expand Clean Water Access: Upgrade aging pipelines and construct sustainable wells.

Enhance Sanitation: Implement effective waste management systems to reduce waterborne diseases.

Build Resilience: Develop a climate-resilient water infrastructure capable of withstanding seasonal challenges.

The donor summit also underscored a shift toward greater accountability and transparency in WASH project funding and execution. By aligning efforts under a single strategic framework, the Ministry seeks to ensure that resources reach the communities that need them most.

Officials concluded the summit with a renewed commitment to the project’s timeline and objectives, signaling a united front in securing Sierra Leone’s water future.