Health, Nutrition & WASH

Good health, adequate nutrition, safe water, sanitation and hygiene are fundamental to the well-being, dignity and resilience of individuals, families and communities. HWA FOUNDATION works with communities and partners to improve access to essential health services, strengthen nutrition awareness and practices, promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene, and support vulnerable populations in addressing health and nutrition-related challenges.

HWA’s experience in Health, Nutrition & WASH has developed through community-based interventions addressing both immediate health needs and longer-term community capacities. Its experience includes health services for flood-affected populations, medical assistance, WASH facilities, nutrition capacity building, nutrition screening and awareness, and support for iron and folic acid supplementation.

Following the 2010 floods, HWA supported flood-affected communities through the provision of health facilities through a Medical Aid Clinic, implemented from 2010 to 2013. The initiative provided an important community-level health response for populations affected by the floods and demonstrated the importance of accessible health services during and following emergencies.

HWA’s health experience has reinforced the importance of bringing essential services closer to vulnerable communities, particularly where access to formal health facilities may be limited. Community-based health support can help address immediate needs while also providing opportunities for health awareness, referral, prevention and early identification of health concerns.

HWA also implemented WASH facilities and community sanitation and hygiene interventions during 2010–2011. This experience strengthened HWA’s understanding of the critical relationship between safe water, sanitation, hygiene practices and community health. WASH interventions are particularly important in rural and underserved communities and become even more critical following floods, displacement and other emergencies.

HWA recognizes that safe water, sanitation and hygiene are closely linked with disease prevention, nutrition, dignity and overall community well-being. Its WASH approach therefore seeks to promote practical improvements in access to safe water and sanitation while strengthening awareness and adoption of appropriate hygiene practices at household and community levels.

HWA’s more recent experience has expanded into the area of nutrition and strengthening the capacity of local civil society and community-based organizations, particularly during 2024–2025. This experience strengthened HWA’s understanding of the importance of community-level nutrition awareness, early identification of nutrition concerns, referral mechanisms, capacity building and coordination with relevant health and nutrition stakeholders.

HWA also implemented activities related to iron and folic acid supplementation during 2023–2025. This work contributed to addressing micronutrient-related needs among vulnerable populations and strengthened HWA’s practical experience in community-based nutrition support and linkages with health services.

HWA recognizes that malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies can be influenced by multiple and interconnected factors, including inadequate diets, poverty, illness, poor sanitation and hygiene, unsafe water, limited access to health services and lack of nutrition information. HWA therefore seeks to promote integrated approaches that connect nutrition with health, WASH, food security, livelihoods and community awareness.

HWA places particular importance on the health and nutrition needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups. Women and children can face specific nutritional and health challenges, particularly during emergencies, displacement and periods of household economic stress. HWA seeks to support community-based approaches that improve awareness, access to appropriate services and timely referral for those requiring additional assistance.

HWA also recognizes the importance of maternal, infant and young child nutrition, preventive health awareness and early identification of health and nutrition concerns. Community awareness and appropriate referral mechanisms can play an important role in helping families recognize risks and seek timely support.

HWA’s experience in flood-affected communities has demonstrated that health, nutrition and WASH needs often increase during and after disasters. Flooding and displacement can disrupt access to health facilities, safe water, sanitation, food and essential services while increasing exposure to health and environmental risks. HWA therefore seeks to strengthen the integration of health, nutrition and WASH within humanitarian preparedness, emergency response and recovery.

Community participation remains central to HWA’s approach. Communities possess valuable knowledge regarding local health concerns, water sources, sanitation conditions, hygiene practices and barriers to accessing services. HWA seeks to work with communities to identify priorities, strengthen awareness and encourage practical solutions that are locally appropriate and sustainable.

HWA also recognizes the importance of community health and nutrition awareness in preventing avoidable health problems. Through awareness activities, community engagement and capacity building, HWA seeks to support households in making informed decisions regarding hygiene, nutrition, health-seeking behaviour and the use of available services.

HWA’s health, nutrition and WASH experience has also strengthened its ability to work with government departments, local communities, civil society organizations, development partners and other institutions. Such collaboration is important for strengthening referral systems, technical support, coordination, learning and continuity of services.

HWA seeks to further strengthen linkages with academic and research institutions to promote evidence-based approaches to health, nutrition and WASH. Collaboration with academia and technical institutions can contribute to improved understanding of local nutrition challenges, WASH conditions, community health risks and appropriate interventions in rural and underserved areas.

HWA also recognizes the growing relationship between climate change, WASH, health and nutrition. Floods, extreme heat, changing weather patterns, water scarcity and environmental degradation can affect access to safe water, sanitation, food and health services. HWA therefore seeks to strengthen climate-resilient approaches that help communities prepare for and manage these interconnected risks.

HWA believes that effective health and nutrition programming should go beyond the provision of individual services and should contribute to stronger community knowledge, prevention, early identification, referral and local capacity. Its approach therefore seeks to combine direct support with community awareness, capacity building and stronger linkages with existing health and nutrition systems.

HWA also seeks to connect WASH with health and nutrition outcomes, recognizing that improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene can contribute to healthier living environments and support efforts to reduce preventable illness. This integrated approach is particularly relevant for children, women and vulnerable households living in underserved communities.

Building on its experience since 2010, HWA aims to further develop its Health, Nutrition & WASH programming towards integrated, preventive, community-based and climate-resilient approaches. The organization seeks to strengthen access to essential services while improving community awareness, local capacities, referral mechanisms and preparedness for health and nutrition emergencies.

Our Focus

Going forward, HWA FOUNDATION seeks to strengthen and expand initiatives in:

1. Community Health & Preventive Care: Community-based health awareness and support, preventive health education, disease prevention, maternal, child and adolescent health, and improved linkages with health service providers.
2. Health & Nutrition Support for Vulnerable Communities: Strengthening access to health and nutrition support for women, children, vulnerable households, underserved communities and populations affected by floods, displacement and other emergencies.
3. Maternal, Infant & Child Nutrition: Promoting maternal, infant and young child nutrition, community nutrition awareness, early identification of nutrition concerns, appropriate referral and prevention of malnutrition.
4. Micronutrients & Community Nutrition Capacity: Supporting micronutrient awareness and supplementation initiatives, including iron and folic acid, while strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations, health workers and community nutrition champions.
5. Safe Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH): Promoting safe water access, water-quality awareness, sanitation, hygiene practices, household and community WASH facilities, hygiene behaviour change, and WASH in schools and learning environments.
6. Climate-Resilient Health, Nutrition & WASH: Integrating health, nutrition and WASH within humanitarian preparedness and response, with particular attention to floods, extreme heat, water scarcity, climate-related risks and other emergencies.
7. Community Capacity, Research & Integrated Resilience: Strengthening community participation, local health leadership, referral mechanisms, organizational capacity, research and evidence, and collaboration with government, academia and other stakeholders while linking health, nutrition, WASH; food security, livelihoods and community resilience.