Group Reports Gains In Water, Health, Environment

The Resource Conservation and Development Initiative (RCDI) International has reported significant progress in improving access to safe water, sanitation, menstrual health services, and environmental sustainability, with hundreds of residents in underserved communities benefiting from its interventions during the first half of 2026.

The organisation, in a review of its activities from January to June, said its programmes were implemented through strategic partnerships with government agencies, development partners and community stakeholders, resulting in measurable improvements in public health, hygiene practices and climate resilience.

Its executive director, Mrs Minite Okoroh-Oviaesu, described the period as marked by impactful, community-driven interventions that addressed critical social and environmental challenges.

She said the organisation remained focused on ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential services while promoting sustainable solutions that deliver lasting benefits.

One of the flagship interventions undertaken by RCDI during the period was the rehabilitation of a borehole in Bonugu Community, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of activities marking World Water Day 2026.

The project restored a vital source of potable water for residents and reduced the burden associated with accessing clean water in the rural community.

To complement the intervention, the organisation distributed water treatment products and conducted hygiene sensitisation campaigns to promote safe water handling, proper sanitation practices, and disease prevention.

RCDI also joined stakeholders in a public awareness campaign organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Lugbe, Abuja, where participants advocated greater investment in water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure across the country.

The organisation also participated in the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) World Water Day celebration held in Kunyani Gosa, Abuja Municipal Area Council, where government officials, development partners, and community representatives renewed their commitments to achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation services.

In the area of menstrual health, the organisation intensified efforts to tackle period poverty and raise awareness of menstrual hygiene through its ThriveFlow 2026 initiative.

The programme, organised to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day under the theme, “One Conversation: End Period Poverty,” provided a platform for discussions on menstrual health, dignity and social inclusion.

Held in Kwali Area Council, the event brought together adolescent girls, women, traditional leaders, educators and health advocates to address challenges affecting menstrual health and to promote greater awareness and support for girls and women.

Participants received dignity kits and educational materials designed to improve menstrual hygiene management and encourage healthy practices.

The initiative attracted support from a broad range of stakeholders, including representatives of RUWASSA, the FCT Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the Local Education Authority, the WASH Coordination Unit and community leaders.

As part of efforts to reach more young people, RCDI collaborated with the FCT Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to organise a menstrual hygiene awareness programme at Federal Government Girls’ College, Bwari.

Students were educated on menstrual hygiene management, reproductive health, and the importance of overcoming stigma and misconceptions about menstruation.

Environmental sustainability also featured prominently in the organisation’s activities during the review period.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, RCDI participated in activities commemorating World Environment Day 2026, including a tree-planting exercise at Government Secondary School, Maitama.

The initiative encouraged students to embrace environmental responsibility and highlighted the importance of climate action in addressing growing environmental challenges.

Beyond its field activities, the organisation remained actively engaged in sector coordination and policy discussions.

RCDI participated in meetings of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Emergencies Technical Working Group, contributing to strengthening emergency preparedness and response systems in the WASH sector.

The organisation also took part in sessions of the National Menstrual Hygiene Management Technical Working Group, collaborating with government institutions and development partners to advance menstrual health advocacy and programming nationwide.

In addition, RCDI supported the Community-Led Total Sanitation Plus Plus (CLTS++) campaign in the Kwali Area Council within the RUWASSA-led, UNICEF-supported WASH coordination framework.

The initiative focused on behaviour change communication, sanitation awareness and community mobilisation to sustain open defecation-free communities.

According to Okoroh-Oviaesu, access to safe water, adequate sanitation, menstrual health services and a healthy environment remains central to human dignity and sustainable development.

She said RCDI would continue to expand its reach in the second half of the year through stronger partnerships and innovative interventions aimed at building healthier, safer and more resilient communities across Nigeria.

“We remain committed to ensuring that no one is left behind. Our focus is on deepening impact, strengthening partnerships and supporting communities with practical solutions that improve lives and create sustainable change,” she said.