CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES Background Founded in 1943 by

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES

Background § Founded in 1943 by U. S. Catholic Bishops § CRS mission is to assist poor and disadvantaged overseas § Assistance given on basis of need, not for creed or nationality § Program activities in over 90 countries § FY 2004 budget over $570 million § HQ in Baltimore: 300 staff § Field staff total over 3, 800; 91% national

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene § WSH projects in 40 -50 countries at present § Hygiene components incorporated in almost all WSH projects § Hygiene not a stand-alone component

Constraints on Hygiene § Hygiene (including promotion, education, facility construction) not well developed in CRS as a major WSH component § Lack of strategic guidance materials to support hygiene activities

Current Hygiene-related Initiatives § Greater use of PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) methodology § Development of regional strategies for water and sanitation

Operating Principles in East African WSH Strategy n Primary purpose - to improve the health of associated communities n Sanitation improvements must always accompany water supply improvements n Emergency responses to natural and man-made disasters must consider immediate needs and longer-term rehabilitation and development. n Project Success § Software considerations are more important than hardware § Measured in terms of behavior changes in the use of water and sanitation facilities § Can occur only through the empowerment of communities to take responsibility for and control of their water supply and sanitation needs n Partnerships are essential for effective project development and sustainable change