UNICEF, others train environmental health clubs in Cross River schools

THE United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Cross River State (CRS) government with support from the European Union (EU) has started the establishment and training of environmental health clubs (SEHC) in primary schools in Yakurr Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

UNICEF in a statement said the project started with the establishment and training of SEHCs in selected 30 schools after a three-day training of trainers (ToT) workshop for SEHC Coordinators and School Based Management Committees (SBMCs) and Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs) from the schools including LGA Education Secretary, Supervisors of School and Environment and Staff of Yakurr LGA Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Department.

Yakurr Local Government Council Chairman Hon. (Obol) Ikpi Ikpi Akpama, represented by the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), in his key note address during the ToT, the expressed gratitude to UNICEF, CRS Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (CRSRUWASSA) and the WASH Department for organizing the workshop and charged participants to endeavour to achieve the objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop.

The Council Chairman also used the opportunity to thank EU and UNICEF for their donor support to the State and Yakurr LGA in the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP) which has positively impacted on the lives and livelihoods of the people by drastically reducing incidences of water borne diseases, infant, U-5 and maternal maternity rates. The programme has also enabled the LGA to attain open defecation free (ODF) status, pending final official verification, certification and celebration.

The SEHC training facilitated by the SEHC Coordinators, Education Secretary, LGA WASH Coordinator and WASH Consultant, featured the use of modules on clean hands, diarrhoea, hygiene and US and water for life. Other highlights include group hand washing practice, songs and inspection of WASH in Schools facilities. Some of the SBMC/PTA and WASHCOM members who attended the training expressed satisfaction and pledged support and collaboration with the school in achieving and sustaining School-Led Total Sanitation and Community-Led Total Sanitation in the LGA.