6 Years of Realizing Climate Resilient and Inclusive Access to Water and Sanitation in Sumbawa

Sumbawa, 4 December 2024 – Gender mainstreaming in implementing climate-resilient water and sanitation access has been the focus of the Sumbawa Regency Government and Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) through the Water for Women (WfW) program since 2018. This program has assisted 8 schools and 26 health centers in 32 villages in Sumbawa Regency to improve water and sanitation services that are climate resilient and gender equitable.

At the handover of the program closure to the Sumbawa Regency Government today (04/12), the Regent of Sumbawa Drs. H. Mahmud Abdullah, expressed his appreciation to WfW who has contributed greatly in encouraging access to water and sanitation for all, even including vulnerable groups, namely children, women, people with disabilities and the elderly.

“With the climatic conditions in Sumbawa Regency that make our region vulnerable to drought, the contribution of Plan Indonesia which continues to encourage access to water and sanitation for all is very helpful in achieving the regional strategic plan,” Mahmud said.

Herbet Barimbing, OIC Program Director of Plan Indonesia, explained that so far the WfW program has also contributed to the existence of two units of desludging car services and assisted the cooperation agreements of 17 villages with the Septage Treatment Plant (IPLT) in Sumbawa Regency.

During the six years of implementation, the WfW program has realized climate-resilient and inclusive access to water and sanitation by involving nearly 900 young people, more than 1,800 women, and more than 360 people with disabilities.

Integrative Water Resources Management

Limited water resources often cause conflicts for communities. The Integrated Water Resources Management Forum (PSDAT) has been activated with assistance from the WfW program. The involvement of all lines of society, such as women’s organizations, indigenous peoples, and disability communities is also the focus of the PSDAT forum to achieve inclusive and equal access to water. So far, the obstacle experienced by the people of Sumbawa is that they have to buy water at certain times, for example during the long dry season. So the benefits experienced directly when there are efforts from PSDAT for example: water conservation, rehabilitation of forests and water sources, etc., the community believes that this will help them reduce the cost of purchasing water.

Muhammad Imran, Chairperson of the Sumbawa Blind Community Association (HIMATRAS), said that in addition to inclusive water access, in the face of climate change, Sumbawa Regency is also involving disability organizations for the inclusivity of sanitation facilities.

“Our involvement will also be a benefit in the future for other friends with disabilities. We believe that our voices can represent them in this access to water and sanitation,” said Imran.

Over the six years of implementation, the WfW Program has directly impacted nearly nine thousand people in Kupang City, Manggarai Regency in East Nusa Tenggara and Sumbawa Regency in West Nusa Tenggara including marginalized groups such as women, girls, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Furthermore, since 2018, WFW has contributed to the achievement of the five pillars of Community-Based Total Sanitation (STBM) for Manggarai and Sumbawa.