SAVING LIVES

USAID TRANSFORM WASH BUSINESSES BRING HOPE TO CONFLICT-AFFECTED AREAS IN ETHIOPIA.

Author: Bacha Kites, WASH Business Capacity Lead, PSI Ethiopia and Mekdim Hailu, Project Communication Manager, PSI Ethiopia

For more than four years, the people of Western Oromia, Ethiopia, faced significant challenges due to fighting between different groups in their region. As health facilities struggled and essentials such as clean water and sanitation became scarce, local WASH businesses have emerged as symbols of resilience, providing vital support to communities in need.

With support from USAID Transform WASH, these businesses are taking a strategic approach to market-based sanitation to provide life-saving sanitation and hygiene products and services. Unlike traditional aid models that rely on free distribution or heavily subsidized products, Transform WASH (T/WASH) helps local entrepreneurs promote sustainable WASH access and make a real difference in their communities.

In Wollega Zone in Oromia, T/WASH had already established a solid supply chain for WASH products before the conflict. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, this supply chain remained remarkably stable. It ensured that people could continue to be supplied with sanitation and hygiene products and services. In addition, T/WASH, with the help of the locally established WASH Business Association, continued to support these businesses through remote coaching, partnership meetings, and information sharing.

The results speak volumes: More than 9,196 products have been sold to community members in four years — a testament to the commitment of local entrepreneurs like Legesse and Fekadu.

Legesse, a retailer from Boneya Boshe, was undeterred by the constant threat and traveled to Ambo five times in 2023, returning each time with life-saving WASH products. This commitment goes beyond pure profit.

Fekadu, another retailer from Guduru, emphasizes how important these products are for preventing waterborne diseases, especially in times of need. He sees his work as an essential contribution to the health and well-being of the community — a sentiment shared by Legese and countless other entrepreneurs.

Undeterred by the conflict, these businesses recognize the critical role of sanitation and hygiene products and services in preventing waterborne diseases and see their work as contributing to the health and well-being of the community. These WASH businesses are an example of the transformative potential of the private sector in humanitarian crises. Even in conflict situations, they show that access to clean water and sanitation is not a luxury, but a basic human right.

Enhancing the potential of businesses and supporting the engagement of local entrepreneurs is an effective step to revolutionize sanitation markets in conflict zones and bring new hope and better health to communities in need. Despite the challenges, the stories of courage and dedication of Ethiopian WASH entrepreneurs like Legesse and Fekadu are a powerful inspiration for the road ahead.