Impact Archives - Sanitap

Handwashing: The Harsh Facts and Figures

Andrew Tanswell — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:37:20 +0000

3 out of 10 people, 2.3 billion, lack a handwashing facility with water and soap at home, including 670 million who have no access to a handwashing facility at all. (WHO/UNICEF 2021)
700 children die every day from diseases linked to unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene. (WHO/UNICEF 2021)
818 million children lack a handwashing facility with water and soap at their school.(WHO/UNICEF 2021)
462 million children attend schools with no handwashing facilities at all. (WHO/UNICEF 2021)
1 in 3 healthcare facilities does not have access to hand hygiene where care is provided. Almost 2 billion people depend on health care facilities without basic water services.
It is estimated that half a million people die each year from diarrhoea or acute respiratory infections which could have been prevented with timely and thorough hand hygiene. (WHO/UNICEF 2021)
Timely hand hygiene prevents up to 50 per cent of avoidable infections acquired during health care delivery, including those affecting the health workforce.
(WHO/UNICEF 2021)
Over the past five years, half a billion people have gained access to basic hand hygiene facilities – a rate of 300,000 per day. (WHO/UNICEF 2021)
Hygiene promotion is the most cost effective health intervention. (World Bank 2016)

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Supporting the SDGs

Andrew Tanswell — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 10:54:59 +0000

The benefits of access to water, sanitation and hygiene cannot be underestimated. Satisfying the physical need for a safe drinking water source is the most immediate advantage of gaining access.

Essential, too, is access to adequate sanitation and good hygiene practices. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene are interconnected and are also essential for achieving other development goals, including the

elimination of poverty and hunger,
reduction of inequalities and
good health and well-being.

It also has profound wider socio-economic impacts, particularly for women and girls.

Nearly every one of the other goals rely in some way on Water, sanitation and hygiene. Critically, the United Nations General Assembly recognizes access to safe water and sanitation as human rights.

SDG 6 seeks to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all, focusing on the sustainable management of water resources, wastewater and ecosystems, and acknowledging the importance of an enabling environment. In the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, countries have committed to engage in systematic follow-up and review of progress towards the Goals and targets, using a set of global indicators.

UN Water provides a detailed picture of progress against SDG 6 by country

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Consultancy for the WASH Sector

Andrew Tanswell — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 14:41:34 +0000

Led by the two SaniTap founders, each with over 30 years of experience providing management consultancy along side the team of consultant advisors, associates, and practitioners, SaniTap provides support to: –

· Manage projects in the areas of climate adaptation, community resiliency, and climate risk management;

· Conduct vulnerability assessments and develops adaptation strategies for urban and rural communities through research and stakeholder engagement;

· Develop climate action plans that describe projected climate impacts, quantify current and future greenhouse gas emissions, and identify strategies to build resiliency and reduce emissions;

· Incubate, develop and build businesses including formulating products and services which mitigate, adapt and build resilience in communities facing the impact of climate change;

· Project management of initiatives, managing teams through all phases of a project (planning, implementation, analysis, reports) from initiation to completion;

· Development of Financial Planning and Business/Project Models;

· Gold Standard Voluntary and CDM Compliance Carbon Project for registration of carbon tradable projects;

· Non-market vehicles for Adaptation funding;

· Monitoring, Validation and Reporting for projects.

Our consultancy services are marked by fair treatment and meaningful involvement of clients, community members, and related stakeholders.

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Corporate carbon emissions offsetting

Andrew Tanswell — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 13:42:54 +0000

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Climate action cannot be one-dimensional: projects must deliver meaningful sustainable development benefits beyond emission reductions. [Gold Standard]

By partnering on this project, your company can offset its carbon emissions – whilst contributing to lives saved and improved health of hundreds of thousands of people, who are guaranteed access to safe drinking water for at least the next decade. This combination of environmental and human impact, made possible through your partnership, is an important CSR and communications opportunity – demonstrating genuine care and commitment towards employees, customers and suppliers.

For this project, we partner with one of the world’s leading carbon firms, who assists businesses, NGOs and governments reduce their climate impact and address sustainability issues. The carbon credits generated by this project are Gold Standard verified, which sets best-practice standards for climate and sustainable development interventions to maximise impact, creating value for people around the world and the planet we share.

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Using the Blockchain for Impact Measurement and Results Based Funding

Andrew Tanswell — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:33:09 +0000

Blockchain ledger platforms have significant potential to establish transparency and indisputable records of activity and transactions. From the donor / investor point of view, they are able to see exactly where their funding ended up being used.

A blockchain is a distributed ledger database that is shared among the nodes of a computer network. While known for its role in cryptocurrency systems, the blockchain’s key characteristic is the maintenance of a secure and decentralized record of transactions. The innovative application of blockchain is that it guarantees the fidelity and security of a record of data and generates trust without the need for a trusted third party.

This transparency, clarity and irrefutability are of significant value to the impact investment sector – relating measurement and proof of impact.

The project will look at the application of Smart Contracts within a blockchain-enabled Impact Exchange Decentralised Exchange platform.

It is anticipated that the use of the Impact Exchange protocol will spread through Project Developers (service providers) and providers of capital as the funders gain irrefutable evidence of impact for the investment they make, and as the service providers are rewarded for delivery of impact.

The Project explores:

New mechanisms of funding development and climate change investment:

New models for intermediation and support innovation of new structures

Impact measurement and management:

Business case, develop practice, practical toolkits, innovation and scaling, connection with stakeholders

Information gaps and market linkage:

The ability to provide accurate, granular information for use in outcome assessment.

Pace of action and deal flow:

To increase incentives to service providers and lower costs as funders are able to finance specific projects directly.

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Innovative portable hand washing solution: The SaniTap bag

Andrew Tanswell — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 16:04:59 +0000

Clean hands saves lives!

Current problem and market state

Handwashing with soap is globally recognized as one of the most effective and affordable public health interventions. It’s impact in reducing diarrheal diseases and respiratory infections, the two main contributors to under-5 deaths, is well proven in scientific literature and a tremendous amount of resources is spent every day to encourage hygiene promotion.

Unfortunately, many families lack access to readily available water sources or have no running water at home. As a result, knowledge about handwashing does not always translate into improved behaviour.

The SaniTap solves this, and provides the missing ‘hardware’ solution to the existing hygiene promotion ‘software’ programs. Use of the product can dramatically increase the health impact of WASH programs.

Product features

The SaniTap:

Uses a unique water tap that can be easily opened and closed by adults and children, without recontamination of fingers after hand washing.
Is made of durable layered plastic reinforced foils that are UV resistant. The product will easily last for one year.
Is light and portable, with a 3-litre reservoir sufficient for a household’s daily water handwashing requirements.
Has a carrying handle for easy filling, handling and transportation.
Comes with a sealable inlet closure for easy filling.
Can be printed with tailored branding and logos.

Product benefits and features

Water-saving!

The SaniTap reduces water requirements for handwashing: important in water-scarce environments. With a flow rate of 0.3 litres/minute it economically provides water requirements for a family of 5 to wash their hands 3 times per day.

Life-saving!

Washing hands with soap using the SaniTap can significantly reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases and pneumonia. Correct use of the SaniTap will save up to 3 lives per thousand bags in use.

Cost-saving!

In countries with a high disease burden, the cost-per-life saved can be as low as $1,400. This is far lower than any other WASH intervention. The product is light and collapsible reducing shipping costs.

Long-lasting!

The SaniTap is robust and has a guaranteed life of one year. The product is UV-resistant; durable and made of recyclable plastics. Because it is collapsible, rapid shipping by air is possible.

Product Specifications

Soap holder. A special soap net that conveniently hangs next to the flow of water. This avoids soap getting soiled or lost: important because handwashing without soap is not effective.
A special spout which can easily be opened even by young children. The patent-pending spout is closed by a simple upward tap of the back of the hand. This avoids contamination of now clean fingers.
Sufficient volume. The SaniTap holds 3 litres of water: enough for family of 5 to wash their hands 3 times per day whilst remaining water-saving.
UV resistance. The plastic laminate film used for the SaniTap is UV resistant – ensuring a long life even under tropical conditions.
Easy filling. The SaniTap bag has a wide closable inlet at the top, making it very easy to fill with water.
Easy carry handle. The bag incorporates a sturdy handle, making it easy to transport (e.g. after filling with water from a public water point away from the home).

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Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)

Andrew Tanswell — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 18:21:08 +0000

MRV refers to the process by which countries track and report data on emissions; the implementation and impact of mitigation and adaptation actions, and the finance used to support these actions.

Monitoring and evaluation is a core, standard activity of SaniTap activities, whether products developed, programmes delivered or consultancy provided, SaniTap believes in the integrity of its work and outcomes and structures its MRV for Adaptation reporting.

MRV is the framework for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) to assess the effectiveness of actions taken and to inform the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.

A Framework for MRV for Adaptation used at a national level for biannual reporting (for non-Annex I countries) would be expected to:-

identify adaptation risks,
determine where to focus Adaptation efforts,
track adaptation-related support,
assess whether adaptation actions planned under NDCs or otherwise are proving effective,
evaluate the impact of adaptation finance support received,
measure Adaptation benefits – the impact achieved through Adaptation actions
monitor progress achieved in national Adaptation plans.

MRV is the framework for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) to assess the effectiveness of actions taken and to inform the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.

MRV of Adaptation activity

Monitoring & evaluation (M&E) of adaptive management practises are processes, tools and techniques that systematically and periodically measure and analyse the processes, outcomes and impacts of adaptation programme activities to achieve the intended objectives.

Monitoring is the routine collection and analysis of information to track progress against set plans and check compliance to established standards.

Evaluation on the other hand is the systematic investigation of the merit, worth or significance of an object

While no such vehicle exists for Adaptions as it does for Mitigation (through compliance and voluntary carbon market methodologies and mechanisms). SaniTap believes that a structured methodology and independent Verification process is essential for the ‘evidencing’ of what can become ‘Adaptation Benefits’ which can have market value, introducing new finance and market forces to accelerate Adaptation activity through financially incentivised private sector involvement.

Reporting on Adaption actions for the biennial update reports which apply to non-Annex I countries would be expected to include:-

Name and description of adaptation action,
including information on the nature of the action, coverage, quantitative goals and process indicators
Methodologies and assumptions
Objectives of the Adaptation action and steps taken or envisaged to achieve that action
Progress of implementation of the actions and results achieved (estimated outcomes and adaptation benefits)
International non-market mechanisms for Adaptation Benefits

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H2O 4 CO2: Innovative WASH financing for Madagascar

admin — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 09:12:26 +0000

This pro-poor carbon project in Madagascar removes 240,000 tCO2 annually, by restoring access to safe drinking water to 650,000 people who presently rely on contaminated water from rivers. This is done by rehabilitating over 2 thousand non-functioning rural water points; and maintaining these for a decade or more. These handpumps were constructed in the past by aid organisations or other development organisations, but have fallen into disrepair due to absent technical repair skills, lack of organizational capacity or spare parts, poverty or extreme climate events such as cyclones and drought.

Victims of climate change

Madagascar is the one of the world’s poorest countries; and one of the few countries that is consistently getting poorer. “In the last 20 years GDP per capita has not grown; and the number in extreme poverty increased almost one-for-one with total population”. Presently, the country is “on the brink of experiencing the world’s first climate change famine”, according to the United Nations, which says tens of thousands of people are already suffering catastrophic levels of hunger and food insecurity after four years without rain.

(more…)

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Fixing a fundamental flaw in hygiene promotion

Adriaan Mol — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:05:54 +0000

Why explain to people the health benefits of handwashing with soap, when people don’t even have running water at home? SaniTap Co-Founder Adriaan Mol, based in Nairobi, Kenya, was increasingly frustrated with what he saw in the field. He developed a solution. Even the UN took notice.

In the past, Mol has directed large water, sanitation and hygiene programs in Africa for international aid agencies. He was surprised by what he saw: ”Most hygiene promotion stresses the importance of washing hands with soap. But when there is no running water at home, it’s impossible to put hygiene knowledge into practice…”

Deceptively simple design
With the help of other handwashing experts, Mol developed a solution under the name ‘SaniTap’. It is basically a plastic water pouch with a soap net attached to it. A spout delivers the right amount of water for handwashing, and closes with an upward tap with the back of the hand. This avoids contamination of clean hands. The bag has a handle, for easy transportation from a water point to the home and beyond.

Complex emergencies
It must be one of the simplest hygiene devices available – yet one of the most effective. Research shows the proper handwashing reduces the risk of diarrheal diseases by 47%. Maybe that is why a UN agency took notice and started to use the SaniTap in one of the largest and most complex emergency areas in Africa.

A missing link
“Washing projects consist of three main parts: providing clean drinking water; safe disposal of stool and hygiene promotion”, explains Mol. “The first two parts have clear hardware components: taps, pipes and toilets. But the hygiene promotion had nothing, until now. The SaniTap feels like a missing link”.

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One in four handpumps in Africa is non-functional

Adriaan Mol — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 09:56:50 +0000

A recent study published in the International Journal of Water Resources Development quantifies the problem of broken-down drinking water infrastructure in rural Africa. Their findings “suggest that approximately one in four handpumps in sub-Saharan Africa are non-functional at any point in time, which in 2015 was roughly equivalent to 175,000 inoperative water points.” These statistics hide regional differences. Development experts in Madagascar, for instance, estimate much
higher failure rates, running to 60% in remote areas.

The human tragedy behind these numbers is shocking. Each well might be used by a hundred families on average. The total number of people that has lost access to safe drinking water because their pumps broke then amounts to some 90 million people. In turn, this translates into countless lives lost, especially young children.

There are many reasons why pumps don’t get repaired. As the Economist describes, sometimes village committees responsible for collecting repair fees are corrupt. More often, plain poverty is the cause; qualified repairmen are hard to find; or spare parts unavailable.

In this age and day, these reasons sound more and more like hollow excuses. A combination of smart technology and innovative financing mechanisms enables clever business models that can keep the water flowing, indefinitely. SaniTap is working to prove this at scale.

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