42976 SEPTEMBER 2004 SOAPBOX The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing Newsletter Country News Steering Committee Ghana (BNWP*-supported): Mass media and direct The Global Handwashing Steering consumer contact activities are on break, while the Committee will meet at the end of phase-1 evaluation takes place across the country. Initial September in Washington to review reactions have been positive and suggest a highly country-programs with an emphasis on successful and popular campaign. Meanwhile, funds are the recently developed creative materials being mobilized for the districts, many of which are for the Senegal campaign. planning to launch their activities in conjunction with the beginning of the new school year, starting early this The committee will also discuss the month. The results of the evaluation will be used to fine- upcoming Handwashing Handbook and tune and develop phase-2 campaign materials for January the long-term outlook of the Initiative. 2005. In the interim, it is intended to `re-air' some of the original adverts, due to popular demand. More information and details will soon be available on www.globalhandwashing.org. Peru (BNWP-supported): The World Bank and the Peru PPPHW team welcome their newest partner, the Government of Japan, which recently approved a Update from USAID and EHP: Japanese Social Development Grant to fund capacity- building to organizations carrying out handwashing USAID has extended the Environmental activities. Health Project (EHP) through mid- September 2004, and EHP will continue to EHP subcontracted the services of PRISMA -a Peru-based support the Global Public-Private Research Institute- for the development of a Partnership for Handwashing with Soap handwashing study. The completed study was well (PPPHW) as well as the country-level received, since it provides a good example of a partnership activities in Nepal and Peru. handwashing practices study. Currently, EHP is using the USAID is a staunch advocate of the study to guide the Initiative and it will furthermore serve Global Initiative and will continue to as a baseline. At present, the document is under EHP/IC support activities into the future through publications and will feature both in English and Spanish. other mechanisms. In addition, WSP/Global PPPHW will disseminate these materials on its website. The creative process is set to Merri Weinger has departed for a position begin with USAID/Peru agreement to fund the with Family Health International (FHI) in development of the materials, at an anticipated cost of June 2004 ­ EHP and all partners in the $120,000. CDC is assisting partners to harmonize their PPPHW will miss Merri as a key advisor to M&E tools. The campaign in Peru is expected to be USAID's support of the Initiative. In launched at the end of January 2005. Merri's absence, John Borrazzo (jborrazzo@usaid.gov), is coordinating Senegal (BNWP-supported): Direct consumer contact inputs on behalf of USAID. activities will be funded by the Government of Japan who recently approved a Japanese Social Development Grant as part of the World Bank's Long Term Water Sector Project. The Senegal PPPHW team welcomes their newest partner. *Bank Netherlands Water Partnership ONAS hired a new director, Mr. Babacar N'dow, who USAID continues to be a leading player in previously held the position of director of cabinet handwashing-related activities in Indonesia, with the Ministry of Sanitation, Hygiene and particularly because this theme connects their Prevention. The PPPHW team in Senegal has met activities in health, environment, and food for peace. with the new director and briefed him on the Initiative. Mr. N'dow voiced his sincere interest in Madagascar: The national coordinator for the the Initiative and ensured ONAS' continued support PPPHW, Emma Razafitseheno, has left her position at and commitment. Reseau Eau to pursue other activities. After interviews, following a request for resumes by the The advertising agency Panorama is finalizing their Ministry of Hudraulics, Ms. Vony Randrianasolo was communication products for the mass media, accepted as a candidate and has now been hired by following several meetings with the technical review Reseau Eau. Ms. Randrianasola has substantial team. The pre-testing of the material is being experience in the water and sanitation sector, most supported by Colgate Palmolive, which has predominantly in water quality issues, although her recruited a specialized agency to begin this work in real strengths lie in marketing, product placement, September. and commercial communication strategies. The PPPHW team and The Belgian Technical The Ministry of Hydraulics requested expressions of Cooperation (BTC) are discussing BTC's renewed interest for a communication agency and seven interest and contribution to activities in the region technical proposals were received. After review by the of Diourbel. PPPHW team in Madagascar, the panel pre-selected three technical proposals which obtained the highest Indonesia: Indonesia appears set to launch a marks. The financial proposals will be opened shortly. national handwashing campaign soon. With a population of over 200 million, high diarrhea- Nepal: EHP is supporting the Nepal task force - incidence and low handwashing-rates, the Initiative headed by UNICEF- in the development of could make a major contribution to the country's promotional materials through a subcontract with a achievement of the MDGs. A great start has been Nepal-based advertising firm. The Handwashing made by JHU (Johns Hopkins University) and their Initiative's launch is tentatively scheduled for local partner KUIS (Coalition for a Healthy September 2004 and the final set of materials is Indonesia) with the support of USAID. A media currently being pre-tested. agency is expected to start working on the national campaign shortly, after a number of profile-raising The task force is further trying to solidify and quantify activities have been performed. potential commitments from the private sector. Fortunately, USAID/Nepal is expected to support the In the meantime, interest in handwashing has been Initiative through direct funding over next two years. growing within the Government, donors, and in the Toward this end, the task force has submitted a private sector, and therefore a Public-Private proposal, which has yet to be awarded. Partnership seems to be an appropriate move forward. To ensure synergy of efforts, the next step Colombia: Since handwashing has been included as will be to engage a national handwashing an outcome indicator in a Government of coordinator. The post will be hosted by WASPOLA Colombia/World Bank environmental support (the Water Supply and Sanitation Policy (structural adjustment) program, the handwashing Formulation and Action Planning Project), with coordinator in Lima recently joined a project mission support of the Government of Indonesia, AusAid, to Bogotá to explore potential opportunities for World Bank and WSP. Two soap companies, Wings implementation of a HW Initiative in Colombia. and Unilever, which at present have approximately Potential partners in all sectors visited, showed a 40% of the market-share each, are keen to be high level of interest and leadership commitment involved, (but still need to be convinced of the from the Minister of Environment, Housing and benefits of working together in this effort). Territorial Development was confirmed. USAID continues to be a leading player in Following the visit, a report with recommendations for handwashing-related activities in Indonesia, further activities was provided to public sector particularly because this theme connects their officials. The PPPHW team will continue to provide activities in health, environment, and food for inputs during the project preparation stage. peace. Comments and contributions are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact jcardosi@worldbank.org. Editor: Elif Yavuz eyavuz@worldbank.org