Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Background Information
A significant portion of communities in Cameroon lack access to safe and clean drinking water (34%), leading to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and diarrhea, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations.Safe water and sanitation are not privileges but fundamental human rights, essential for health, dignity, and well-being. SHUMAS is dedicated to turning this right into a reality for communities across the nation. Our work in the Water and Sanitation sector directly aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) - Clean Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All, a goal intrinsically linked to Cameroon's own national development aspirations. Our interventions are deeply rooted in the principles of sustainability and community ownership. We work hand-in-hand with key stakeholders, aligning our efforts with the National Development Strategy 2020-2030, which recognizes WASH as a cornerstone of sustainable development. SHUMAS is dedicated to addressing this critical issue and has undertaken various initiatives in the Water, Hygiene, and Sanitation sector.

Main Objective
The main objective is to prevent water-borne diseases and foster healthy living.

Achievements
Our commitment to preventing water-borne diseases is evident in the tangible impact we have created across Cameroon with the following achievements:

Improved hygiene and sanitation in 315 schools serving 94,500 pupils/students by constructing 315 VIP gender-sensitive toilets in communities.
Improved access to portable water for 750,000 persons through the provision of potable water to 150 communities nationwide (boreholes, water by gravity, and protected wells).
Ensured sustainability of water sources in 150 communities by protecting water catchments and planting watershed trees.
Established and trained water management committees in all communities where we have provided water.

Challenges
The challenges faced in this endeavor include:

Limited available resources
Limited financial resources allocated to WASH programs and projects in Cameroon.
Climate change-related factors such as erratic rainfall patterns and droughts.

GALLERY