Themetic: Water and Sanitation Facilities
Partner: Emory University
Dubai Cares commissioned an independent impact evaluation of its WASH in Schools programme in Mali to build robust evidence on how improved water, sanitation, and hygiene services affect children’s health and learning. Conducted by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, the study assessed a multi-partner initiative with UNICEF, Save the Children, CARE, Oxfam GB, and WaterAid, covering over 900 schools.
Our role focused on funding and facilitating this rigorous evaluation, which examined infrastructure upgrades, hygiene behaviour change, and their impact on student well-being. The findings showed significant improvements in access to safe water, sanitation, and handwashing facilities, along with reductions in self-reported diarrhoeal and respiratory symptoms. While attendance impacts were limited, the study provided actionable insights that informed national standards and helped partners mobilise additional resources to scale interventions.
This investment reinforced Dubai Cares’ commitment to evidence-driven programming and systemic change in education and health.