Diarrheal diseases kill 19,000 children <5 years old each year in Madagascar, a country of 13 million people with serious water quality and sanitation deficiencies. To address this problem in Antananarivo, CARE implemented the CDC Safe Water System (SWS), which includes point-of-use water chlorination, safe water storage, and community education. Population Services International (PSI) produced and socially marketed the chlorine disinfectant, which was given the brand name Sur'Eau.
CARE mobilized 30 target communities with a population of 200,000 to participate in the Sur'Eau project through a process of committee formation, participatory research, project design, and implementation. PSI prepared a social marketing campaign to promote Sur'Eau, throughout Antananarivo. CARE and PSI jointly developed a plan to address an emerging cholera problem.
Project implementation took place 4 months earlier than planned because of a cholera epidemic. CARE personnel were mobilized to distribute Sur'Eau. Catholic Relief Services was recruited to distribute Sur'Eau to affected communities outside of Antananarivo. When Cyclone Hudah struck Madagascar, CARE responded by distributing 11,700 bottles of Sur'Eau and foldable jerry cans to affected families. When Cyclone Eline struck, CARE distributed 53,000 bottles of Sur'Eau to cyclone rehabilitation workers. PSI doubled Sur'Eau production capacity in response to increased demand. USAID provided funding to expand Sur'Eau nationwide. CARE is preparing an implementation methods package for other NGO's to use in target populations. Sur'Eau sales currently exceed 50,000 bottles per month.
Sur'Eau has been an important emergency response tool, which has helped generate resources for its wider implementation as a development project.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Drinking Water Quality, Emergency
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.