Abstract

Access to drinking-water is a governance issue and central to Covid-19 prevention, yet it remains a critical challenge for marginalised and vulnerable households. This study assesses how local formal institutions in Malawi address equitable access to drinking-water for marginalised households during the Covid-19 pandemic using policy analysis, key informant interviews and focus group discussions in three vulnerable communities. The results show that the Malawi national Water Policy was not formulated in consideration of service delivery during pandemics, but only refers to weather related disasters, mainly, floods and droughts. Hence consideration of improving drinking water access is minimal at local level.

Publication status

Published - 2022