What the client needed
Since 2018, UNICEF, with funding from KfW, had worked to close critical gaps in water, sanitation and hygiene for refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the communities hosting them. The project targeted more than 164,000 people, including 50,000 refugees and 114,000 host community members, through new and rehabilitated water systems, sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion and better WASH in schools and health centres.
At the end of the project, UNICEF needed an independent assessment of what had been achieved, what had not, and whether the gains would last.
How M31 Research delivered
M31 Research carried out the endline evaluation using a mixed-methods approach. In Kalumbila, Nchelenge and Kaoma districts, covering refugee settlements and host communities, our teams surveyed 1,587 households on water and sanitation access, hygiene practices and health.
We held 37 key informant interviews with government, NGO and community leaders, and 35 focus group discussions with community members, including women, youth and people with disabilities. We also assessed WASH facilities at 47 schools and 33 health facilities and ran 357 water quality tests.
What we delivered
- 1,587 household surveys
- 37 key informant interviews and 35 focus group discussions
- Infrastructure assessments at 47 schools and 33 health facilities
- 357 water quality tests
- Evaluation report with actionable recommendations
What changed for the client
The evaluation confirmed that the project had exceeded its main targets, and it gave UNICEF and its partners a clear picture of the gaps that remained: inconsistent handwashing, rising open defecation in some host communities, and concerns about paying for and maintaining the infrastructure.
Our recommendations, aligned with Zambia's national policies and global WASH standards, gave stakeholders practical steps to protect the gains.
Key findings and outcomes
- Over 200,000 people gained access to clean water, against a target of 164,000
- 27,670 toilets built, against a goal of 20,000
- 294,096 people took part in hygiene promotion
- 47 schools and 33 health facilities received upgraded WASH facilities
