USAID/Mali and its partners, in collaboration with UNICEF/Mali and the World Health Organization, celebrated on October 15 Global Handwashing Day in Bamako and in the regions of Sikasso and Mopti.  USAID/Mali highlighted its WASHplus activity (more info below) and its integrated rural nutrition and WASH activities, which focus on building resilience through the prevention and treatment of under nutrition while targeting the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.  USAID/Mali will increase access to and consumption of diverse and quality foods, improve nutrition and hygiene-related behaviors and increase the use of high-impact nutrition, WASH promotion and treatment services.  These activities are targeting 313,000 women, 153,000 children and 26,000 small farmers. 

Since October 2013, as a result of these activities, over 5,500 households have soap and water at a handwashing station used by family members; 107,000 people have gained access to an improved drinking water source; 183,000 people have gained access to an improved sanitation facility; and 266 villages have been certified “open defecation free” (ODF) communities.