As 2014 draws to a close we look back on a mixed and challenging year at IRC.
Published on: 17/12/2014
On the one hand, our vision of universal access to decent quality, sustainable and government-led water and sanitation services has never seemed more relevant or achievable. IRC’s work in 2014 has continued to gain traction and contribute to shifting how our sector goes about its business. Evaluations carried out in 2014 suggest that overall our basic message – that water, sanitation and hygiene need to be seen (and planned for) as services for life and not one off investments in infrastructure – is being picked up and adopted. Whether it’s in the countries where we focus or internationally, the ideas that we have championed such as life-cycle costing; service delivery monitoring and a service delivery approach are being adopted by governments, donor, NGOs and the private sector. From all our focus countries we receive the same message: Governments are listening and willing to lead the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services.
For IRC itself, 2014 has been a tumultuous year. The start of the year saw the launch of a well received new website and visual identify, continuing to build on our refreshed brand and clarified mission. Our decision to decentralise, opening country offices and making them the centre of our work, has been vindicated through the strong satisfaction expressed by our national partners, the growing impact of our programmes and the continuing demand for our services. On the other hand, our decision to decentralise, together with reductions in our budget, resulted in job losses in IRC’s headquarters in the Netherlands – a painful blow for all involved.
Looking forward to 2015, the inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals of a standalone water goal, that incorporates a commitment to universal coverage in water and sanitation services by 2030 will - once confirmed – be a huge win for the sector. Huge because for the first time in decades it puts the achievement of universal access back on the table – bringing with it the need to focus not just on “low hanging fruit” but also delivering services over the last mile, to the poorest and most marginalized.
IRC will continue to support the inclusion of a water goal, and once agreed will align our programming to its achievement. Bringing to it our concepts and tools for adopting a service delivery approach; life-cycle costing; sector monitoring and more. In 2015 we will be putting a special focus on leveraging more public finance into WASH service delivery – and making sure that it is effectively targeted to providing services that last. We will also be working on taking the lessons we’ve learned in driving towards universal access to WASH services. Not least by continuing to support our government partners in developing the skills, frameworks and financial mechanisms necessary to make this vision a reality.
So, in closing an eventful 2014 and wishing you all a restful break and – for 2015 – happy New Year, we look forward to working with you to achieve water sanitation and hygiene services for life.
