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Published on: 18/06/2018

Since 2012, IRC has been promoting the systems approach to WASH service delivery, stressing that it takes a whole system to deliver sustainable WASH services. The approach is illustrated in a framework of nine building blocks as seen in the table below. To implement the systems approach, IRC Uganda has selected Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts, where they are leading several interventions with different district-level actors all aimed at realising universal access to WASH services in the districts.

Perhaps the outstanding questions are: Does the systems approach work? How does it work? Is it worth the effort? How can we accelerate adoption of the systems approach?

This video depicts the effectiveness of a systems approach, showing how IRC is working with different actors to improve WASH service delivery.


Policy & Legislation
Sector policy and strategy; legal framework; norms and standards; by-laws
InstitutionsCoordination, roles, responsibilities, capacity, sector mechanisms
InfrastructureDevelopment & maintenance, project cycles, asset management, roles
MonitoringFramework and routine implementation, service levels, use of data
PlanningPlanning and budgeting, capacity and frameworks for planning
FinanceFlows and responsibilities, clear frameworks including life-cycle costs and source identification
Regulation & AccountabilityAccountability mechanisms, regulatory framework and capacity
Water resources managementAllocation and management of resource abstraction, water quality and coordinated efforts
Learning and adaptationCapacity & frameworks to capture and feedback lessons learning, update and adapt various building blocks

Table 1. WASH systems building blocks

 

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