A Joint DAG/HRDG field visit to Afar was organized from 13 to 15 February 2018 to bring key development and humanitarian partners together in order to create better understanding of how the New Way of Working is implemented on the ground.
The visit focused on two sectors (education and WASH). The issue of access, quality and challenges in delivering education and water services to pastoral communities has been discussed with pertinent stakeholders.
Discussion with key stakeholders highlighted that it is possible to provide sustainable water supply in hydrological complex settings that face frequent drought. However, these long term investments require larger scale investment and skills in managing and maintaining the water schemes. It was also noted that institutional WASH must be accelerated to ensure quality health and education services as a backbone to long-term community development and economic self-reliance. The DAG agreed to undertake similar field visits in the future for better multi-sectoral coordination.