Government of Japan and Water Aid group support Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Improvement Project in Kirehe and Bugesera Districts, Eastern Province

The Government of Japan has committed a total of USD 2 million to support the Water and Sanitation Improvement Project in Kirehe and Bugesera Districts in Eastern Province. The three-year initiative will be implemented by WaterAid Japan to enhance access to safe water and improved sanitation services for vulnerable communities. The current phase represents the first year of implementation, with a budget of approximately USD 670,000.
 
Communities in Kirehe and Bugesera Districts in Eastern Province continue to face challenges related to limited access to safe water and adequate sanitation facilities. Insufficient infrastructure, coupled with population growth and environmental pressures, has strained existing water systems and sanitation services. These gaps increase the risk of waterborne diseases and negatively affect public health, school attendance, and overall community well-being.
 
Building on Japan’s continued commitment to improving basic services, the project aims to enhance living conditions for residents by strengthening water supply and sanitation systems. Over the 36-month implementation period, the initiative will directly benefit communities in both districts through sustainable and community-driven interventions.
 
Key activities include installing water supply systems, such as pipelines, storage tanks, and public water points in underserved areas, alongside establishing and training community-led water user associations to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance. The project will also improve sanitation by constructing latrines and handwashing facilities in five schools and one healthcare facility, while promoting better hygiene practices through school and community hygiene clubs, capacity-building initiatives, and district-wide awareness campaigns.
 
“We are grateful for the support from the Government of Japan. They have been a long-standing partner in Rwanda’s water sector, and this project reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.” says Mr. TAKAHASHI Kaoru , Executive Director of WaterAid Japan. “These new facilities will provide thousands of people with safe, reliable, and closer-to-home water. This means less time spent collecting water, improved hygiene, better health outcomes, and more opportunities for children to study, and more opportunities for families to thrive.”
 
Speaking on the project, Ambassador NAKAJO stated “We believe that protection of human dignity starts with guaranteeing their safe and healthy lives. In this regard, our underlying principle for this project is to improve access to clean water for all individuals who need it, thereby protecting them from the risk of diseases.”
 
This initiative reinforces the longstanding partnership between Japan and Rwanda in advancing sustainable development on the local level. Through collaboration with local authorities and communities, the project seeks to ensure durable solutions that improve public health outcomes and enhance quality of life in Eastern Province.