On August 26, 2021, USAID IUWASH PLUS in collaboration with Pokja PPAS and the Alliance of Indonesian Journalists (Aliansi Jurnalis Independen or AJI) held an online workshop for 15 journalists from 15 different media outlets to allow them to learn about national water supply and sanitation issues.
The workshop was also held to commemorate the 76th Independence Day of Indonesia and therefore titled The 76 Years of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia: How are the Conditions of Our Water Supply and Sanitation?
The Resource persons of the workshop were the Former Director of Housing and Settlements of the MPWH, who now acts as the Director of Water Resources and Forest Conservation of Bappenas, Mr. Basah Hernowo; the Director of Housing and Settlement of Bappenas, Ms. Tri Dewi Virgiyanti; the Researcher and C4D (Communication for Development) Specialist of UNICEF, Mr. Risang Rimbatmaja; and the Deputy Chief of Party of USAID IUWASH PLUS, Ms. Alifah Lestari.
The workshop aimed to increase journalists’ awareness and understanding of WASH issues throughout Indonesia’s history, including the importance of water supply and safely managed sanitation and its relevant policies. The event also sought to improve engagement between journalists and WASH stakeholders.
The workshop consisted of two parts, a presentation session from the speakers and an interactive discussion about the government’s and USAID IUWASH PLUS’ works in increasing access to water supply and sanitation. Until March 2021, USAID IUWASH PLUS has delivered improved water access to 902,195 people, 253,470 of which are poor; access to safely managed sanitation to 708,705 people; and access to improved sanitation 190,015 people, 121,365 of which are poor.
From September to November 2021, as part of a series of events that will culminate with KSAN 2021, USAID IUWASH PLUS and AJI will jointly hold three other thematic discussions on WASH issues. The first one is going to take place next month, the second one on the World Handwashing Day in October, and the last one on the World Toilet Day in November.
This series of events will also allow journalists to talk directly to WASH experts from the local and national governments to improve their understanding of water supply, safely-managed sanitation, and hygiene behaviors.
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