WaterAid wins two prestigious awards for work in Burkina Faso

WaterAid's West Africa Regional Manager Idrissa Doucoure wearing the award.

Credit: WaterAid

On 2 July 2004 WaterAid won two prestigious national awards for its work in Burkina Faso, one of the ten poorest countries in the world. WaterAid has operated in the country since 2001, providing safe water and sanitation to some of the poorest people.

WaterAid's Burkina Faso programme was awarded the Burkinabe Merit Order and WaterAid's Country Representative Yerefolo Malle was personally awarded the Chevalier of National Orders, both for the organisation's outstanding work in deprived areas of Burkina Faso.

WaterAid was presented the awards by the minister of economy and development at a ceremony presided over by the Lord Chancellor of Burkina Orders.

In his speech the minister stated that "Our government gives significant importance to water, hygiene and sanitation sectors which are part of your actions in Burkina Faso and which unquestionably determine poverty alleviation, our current major priority...

"WaterAid's various achievements already recorded have contributed to reducing the population's burden in terms of water supply, hygiene and sanitation issues".

He particularly praised WaterAid's work on improving sanitation and hygiene and its pragmatic approach: "Through your hygiene promotion actions, the latrines built in households match with the cultural environment and contribute to a significant reduction of faecal peril.

"Behaviour changes occur after long information, education and communication campaigns. That's why I wish your actions to scale up in the country and benefit from increased financial means to be invested both in rural and urban areas.

"Your approach which is based on 'making things done' strategy urges the populations and partners for accountability. At the same time, this approach guarantees at best the beneficiaries' involvement in the actions."

The awards were created in order to recognise both individuals and institutions for exceptional development activities. The Burkinabe Merit Order acknowledges anyone who has shown devotion and provision of long lasting services.

The National Orders, which are given for individual merit, or distinguished civilian or military services, are the highest awards given by the government.

WaterAid is very honoured to receive the awards, especially as they signify the importance to which the Burkina Faso Government attaches to water and sanitation. WaterAid's West Africa Regional Manager Idrissa Doucoure accepted the awards, commenting:

"Since the Burkina Faso Government is firmly committed to poverty eradication, I consider that this symbolic act testifies its availability for a strengthened partnership with all development actors including WaterAid.

"As for us, I reiterate to the Government the commitment of WaterAid and its local partners to work on their side, mainly on drinking water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion areas.

"Regarding the importance of the challenges to take up on drinking water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion areas, WaterAid is highly certain that partnership, apart from its physical achievements, needs to be extended to strategic reflections which integrate all good willed people."