Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
This study
assesses the impact of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure
projects implemented under the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Recovery Project (MCRP) in
Adamawa State, North-East Nigeria. In response to the protracted crisis caused
by the Boko Haram insurgency and environmental challenges, the MCRP was
launched by the Government of Nigeria in collaboration with the World Bank to
restore essential services, improve livelihoods, and rebuild social cohesion.
Specifically, the WASH infrastructure of the MCRP aimed to rehabilitate damaged
infrastructure, improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and
promote hygiene awareness in affected communities. Using a mixed-methods
approach, the study evaluates the state of WASH services before and after the
intervention, measuring changes in infrastructure access, health outcomes, and
community behavior. Findings indicate a significant improvement in access to
safe water sources (from 18% to 73%) and a sharp decline in open defecation
(from 34.4% to 3.9%). Additionally, increased community participation and the
perceived inclusiveness of the intervention contributed to enhanced social
cohesion. However, the study also identifies lingering gaps in stakeholder
engagement, sustainability structures, and community awareness of maintenance
mechanisms. The study concludes that the MCRP WASH intervention has contributed
meaningfully to public health, social stability, and resilience in Adamawa
State. It recommends strengthening community engagement, institutionalizing
maintenance structures, and aligning future interventions with local
development policies to ensure the long-term sustainability of WASH services.
The research provides critical insights for policymakers, development agencies,
and practitioners aiming to implement recovery-focused infrastructure
interventions in fragile and crisis-affected settings.
Country : Nigeria
IRJIET, Volume 9, Issue 4, April 2025 pp. 237-255