243. The MICS3 survey data indicate an access rate of 57.1% for a source of improved drinking water. In the area of sanitation, the access rate to an improved structure is still low (31,7%). The lack of sanitation equipment and the absence of hygienic practices are the cause of a host of infectious and parasitic infections. 6.1-Status of Sanitation Management in the Lomé Commune 244. Hygiene and Sanitation in the Lomé Commune are managed by a Regional Department for Hygiene, Sanitation and Safety. The main activity areas are inspection of homes and schools and institutions, quality control of water, hygiene and food safety, waste management , awareness raising and pieces of practical advice. 6.1.1-Inspection Activities 245. In the area of home inspections, the coverage of compounds under hygienic and sanitation surveillance was 15% in 2014. This coverage rate is viewed as too low looking at the stae of cleanliness in the Lomé Commune and it can also be explained by the difficulties faced by the Regional Sanitation Department. 246. Indeed, the said Department does not have sufficient logistical resources to carry out the inspections. Most of the hygiene and sanitation technicians posted to this Department have all been assigned to health programmes, and therefore, they operate more in the aforementioned area. It must also be pointed out that these workers are exposed to all kinds of opposition and obvious insecurity in carrying out their duties on the ground. They become targets for aggression, physical and verbal assaults by the community during their inspection duties without any protection. 247. In the case of schools’ inspections, on the average 307 schools, 166 hotels, 419 bars and drinking spots, 137 shops, 236 restaurants and 70 markets were inspected in 2014 by the Sanitation and and Hygiene Departments with the aim of checking whether sanitation facilities existed in these public and private schools and institutions. The results of these inspections reveal that at least 48% of these schools have at least a sanitation facility. 248. Regarding the control of quality water, it emerged that out of 4,011 compounds visited in 2014, 70% have access to sources of drinking water (TDE) whilst in 2013, out of 8,838 compounds visited, only 44% had access. Between 2013 and 2014, it was observed that access to drinking water had improved for the population in Lomé. In the course of this survey, technical support and practical advice were given to the 73