Typhoon Odette WASH Recovery and Rehabilitation Towards Climate Resilience (RRTCR – WASH) Programme – Surigao Del Norte

WASH services in water-stressed and waterless communities are highly vulnerable to climate change. Lack of access to safe drinking water often forces people to use unsafe water sources, increasing the risk of diseases, especially during emergencies. Challenges for water supply include flood damage, water source depletion from declining rainfall, rising demand, and changes in water quality. Supported by UNICEF, Acted has been implementing the project Typhoon Odette WASH Recovery and Rehabilitation Towards Climate Resilience (RRTCR – WASH) since January 2024. One component of the project is the formation of WASH councils and conducting a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) to understand and address current and future climate risks to WASH services.
“I am serving my last term in this municipality,” Karissa begins. “Before I was mayor, I authored several ordinances on health promotion, especially the Sanitation Code. My background as a nurse helps me relate deeply to Acted project’s objectives.”

Following her enrolment in the project, Karissa, like the other beneficiaries attended the iWash council orientation, which resonated with her personal observations. From her first day in office in 2016, she inspected barangays, noting the traditional practices that contributed to health issues. Despite initial resistance and negativity on social media, over time, the community began to appreciate the health initiatives, which motivated her to engage with Acted’s project.

Despite the limited resources, Karissa has always sought partnerships to bring knowledge and skills to Sison’s marginalised and isolated barangays. “We are very thankful to Acted for recognising our needs. Usually, NGOs focus on Siargao and Surigao City, but Acted saw the potential in Sison.”

Karissa is now the chairperson of the iWash council established by Acted in March 2024 in her municipality, which allows her to keep WASH concerns at the forefront of her mandate and reflect on possible challenges.

To raise awareness, Mayor Fetalvero ensures direct contact with the community through meetings involving barangay health workers, the Barangay Peace Action Team, and the Barangay Nutrition Scholars. “Linking these networks through structures such as the iWASH council ensures sustainability,” she believes.

One of Karissa’s proudest accomplishments is maintaining Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) status, even amidst the challenges of COVID-19 and Typhoon Odette. As the chairperson of the iWash council, Karissa has pushed for the institutionalisation of health ordinances. “Even though this is my last term, I hope the next administration continues these programs,” she says. Mayor Fetalvero’s legacy is rooted in health promotion. “We have awakened the spirit of our people to take charge of their health. It’s everybody’s concern,” she asserts. Her involvement with the iWash council has strengthened her efforts to embed health and hygiene practices in the community.

Despite financial constraints, Karissa remains motivated by the health improvements she sees in her community. “Seeing my people healthy and knowing I’ve inspired them keeps me going.” Climate change and environmental degradation are pressing issues in Sison, particularly due to the activities of mining companies. “We can only monitor their activity and collect taxes for services,” she laments. The long-term environmental impact is a concern for future generations.

Karissa’s advice to other leaders is to exercise political will. “Often, leaders shy away from unpopular issues like WASH. But our oath is to promote the welfare of our people. Partnering effectively with organisations such as Acted and engaging with the community is key.”

Driven by a profound desire to make a difference, Coleen has spent years championing the cause of water and hygiene practices in the municipality of Tagana-an. A nurse by profession and now a Rural Sanitary Inspector, she tirelessly covers three critical areas: sanitary issues, nutrition and population. Her workload is immense, and she sighs deeply as she reflects on the challenge of overseeing multiple villages on the island by herself. “It’s really hard,” she admits.
Despite the difficulties, Coleen found that data collection and reporting, particularly in nutrition, were made easier by the interconnected nature of these three aspects. The data she collects from each sector often reveals how these issues are intertwined, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the community’s needs.

Following her enrolment in the project, Coleen like the other beneficiaries attended the iWash council orientation, which convinced her to continue her work in local barangays. She continuously empowers local barangays to include WASH programs in their budgets, although changing the mindset and behaviours of the population remains a significant hurdle. “From the local government units (LGUs) and organisations like UNICEF and Acted, a lot of support has been given,” she notes, before adding that “Through this project, I can have additional assistance.”
Coleen relies heavily on barangay officials and LGUs for support and views this collaborative effort fostered by the Acted project as essential in addressing community needs and providing new information. Engaging with the Department of Health, she conducts advocacy campaigns and educates barangay leaders, ensuring they have the tools to implement necessary changes. “As a Sanitary Inspector, I don’t have a staff. My only help at hand are the barangays officials and the LGUs. This programme with Acted can really help in addressing the community in giving new information. It also helps to see the reality of the sanitation aspects.” she says. Having up to date data from the ground is essential as she frequently presents data on community mortality related to sanitation issues, underscoring the critical need for ongoing awareness and action.

Every meeting with Acted fills Coleen with hope as she witnesses the active participation of municipal mayors and other stakeholders. She sees these gatherings as catalysts for change, driven by collective responsibility and informed action.

“Be aware. Be responsible. Be responsible of everything that you do, especially in health. Be informed.” she concludes, addressing her comment to municipalities that would face similar issues. For Coleen, promoting health, hygiene, and sanitary practices is not just a job but a mission that touches every aspect of community life and motivates her to be a part of the project.

Even before her participation in Acted’s project, Dr. T.Almoite was acutely aware of the link between proper water system and health. Indeed, during her visits to the barangays, particularly on the island of Maribojoc, she frequently encounters cases of skin diseases. “In Maribojoc, if it’s low tide, you have to walk at least a kilometre in the water. The barangay has many non-ZOD (zero open defecation) households; 216 out of 337 don’t have toilets,” she explains. The poor water quality, characterised by a lack of corals and seaweed and itchy water, is closely linked to the skin diseases she treats, especially amongst children who spend significant time in the water. The absence of proper drainage systems exacerbates the issue, with stagnant water pooling under houses during low tide.

As the only doctor in the municipality, Dr. T.Almoite bears a heavy burden, and recognises that the most vulnerable residents are the hardest hit. “They don’t have the means to build their own toilets or access proper drinking water,” she notes.

Upon her arrival in January, Dr. T.Almoite quickly connected with Acted and became involved in the project in becoming a member of the iWASH council. “My hopes are for the ZOD, especially in the island barangays where sanitation is a big problem. Safe water for all, especially for those who are not financially capable,” she says.

Dr. T.Almoite values the trainings provided by Acted and the establishment of the iWash councils, emphasising that “each department has its own responsibilities. Health officials have the duty of taking care of the health of the people.” She also emphasises on the importance of emergency preparation. Indeed, during a visit to one of the island barangays, she was shocked to find that the designated emergency shelter was a cave near the ocean.

Attending the CRVA training organised by Acted enhanced her understanding of potential disasters and their impact on her patients’ health. The trainings “(..) improve the way I handle cases. It improves the way I see how these people live,” she states, also appreciating her new capacity to oordinate with local officials, something she wasn’t doing prior to the project.

The behaviours of the community members remain the main challenge in her eyes. To her, the best course of action would be to conduct group discussion with the community, to effectively communicate on the negative effects of poor sanitation and hygiene. Dr. T.Almoite also advocates for group discussions to effectively communicate on the negative effects of poor sanitation and hygiene. Furthermore, she urges local officials to personally visit the barangays. “Most officials don’t actually go to the barangays. They need to see for themselves, not just hear about it through stories,” she insists.