Value for Money in Humanitarian WASH: Lessons from a Hybrid solar–diesel Water Intervention

Abstract

Humanitarian WASH programmes in conflict-affected settings must make difficult choices about how to convert scarce resources into reliable water services. This Practice Note presents lessons from a three-year UNICEF-supported water-supply intervention in Saada district, Yemen, where diesel-powered pumping was combined with solarisation. The experience shows that value for money cannot be judged from expenditure alone. In Saada, reported water consumption and beneficiary reach improved while the cost performance ratio deteriorated after the first year. The case therefore points to the need to examine economy, efficiency, effectiveness and equity together, while strengthening budgeting, documentation, energy planning and beneficiary monitoring.