World Water Day celebration in Ethiopia

7 May 2010

World Water Day was marked in Ethiopia on 22 March under the theme 'Clean Water for a Healthy World'.

An organising committee led by the Ministry of Water Resources and composed of WaterAid in Ethiopia, WASH Ethiopia movement, Government Communication Office, RiPPLE, IntermonOxfam and UNICEF led a joint campaign in the build up to the day.
The aim of World Water Day in Ethiopia is to raise the profile of water quality at the political level so that this important issue is considered alongside those of water quantity. The organising committee planed different activities in line with the theme including preparing magazines, posters, t-shirts, caps, documentaries on both TV and radio, and a one-day workshop.

Ato Michael Shiferaw, Acting Country Representative of WaterAid in Ethiopia, took part in the celebration attending nearly all the events to get a deeper understanding of what is going on in the sector. The day was celebrated in the Ministry of Water Resources’ compound where key messages were delivered by higher officials from the Ministry of Water Resources , Ministry of Health, Environment Protection Authority, African Development Bank, World Bank and others. All the speeches highlighted the importance of water quality and the need for partnership towards achieving a goal of wide reaching clean water. WaterAid’s support of the Ministry of Water Resources was highly recognised by the Minister during his speech.

One important feature of the day was the participation of young people. The students from Asai School presented their song to the participants, which was both entertaining and educative using diverse music focusing on water.

A one day workshop was conducted on the next day where by different papers on water quality and a Wash report were presented. The papers discussed water quality, some focusing on the serious problem of fluoride and the need for collaborative action from sector actors.

WaterAid in Ethiopia's contribution to ease drinking water problem in Hitossa Woreda gained coverage in a special magazine published for World Water Day. American tv program PBS NewsHour also covered WaterAid's work in Ethiopia by looking at the Alaba project. The episode was broadcasted in the USA on the day, see a clip of the show.