Integrating WASH and Nutrition, A Learning Brief

Since 2010, the USAID-funded WASHplus project has been engaged both at the global and country levels in stimulating the discussion and improving the evidence base around integrating WASH into nutrition programming, sharing experiences and approaches to integrating the two sectors. This Learning Brief describes WASHplus country activities in Bangladesh, Mali and Uganda, global knowledge sharing efforts and other WASHplus activities.

WASHplus anticipates that interest in expanding the integration of WASH into nutrition programs will continue to grow over the next decade. Policy engagement is a vital step for integrating WASH and other interventions that impact nutrition programs. Having a national nutrition policy that recognizes the importance of WASH for nutrition outcomes paves the way for the development of integrated programming at all levels. Donors, governments, and implementers should endorse and support an integrated approach. Staff in both sectors needs skills and knowledge to effectively implement integrated programs. While enough evidence exists to support WASH and nutrition integration, more data is needed to demonstrate how and in which ways specific WASH mechanisms affect nutrition outcomes and determine which implementation modalities are most likely to lead to strong and sustained impact. An integrated program should have a monitoring and evaluation framework with corresponding WASH and nutrition indicators. However, when WASH activities are integrated into an existing nutrition program, WASH indicators need to be added to the monitoring framework.