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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 FY2004 budget over $570 million
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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 • FY2004 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 • Primary purpose - to improve the health of associated communities • Sanitation improvements must always accompany water supply improvements • Emergency responses to natural and man-made disasters must consider immediate needs and longer-term rehabilitation and development. • 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 • Partnerships are essential for effective project development and sustainable change