Shania Shayal Prasad 
Fiji Council of Social Services Executive Director, Vani Catanisiga
A survey on water, sanitation, and hygiene conducted last year reveals that access to clean drinking water, poor waste management, and hygiene issues remain challenges in communities.
Fiji Council of Social Services Executive Director, Vani Catanisiga says this data also reveals that 40 percent of the 500 households surveyed stated that their water sources were not treated.
She says the current water infrastructure challenges have exacerbated these issues.
“40 percent of communities do not have reticulated water supplies and draw or use integrated water for domestic consumption, so some communities are sharing, which we found in some areas in the Western Division. We have photos that show that they were getting drinking water straight from rivers, and I think there were some concerns around waste management as well.”
Catanisiga says they have also noted WASH requirements and will be working on fulfilling them accordingly.
The survey was carried out by the Fiji Council of Social Services, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, and the Ministry of Health.
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