Accountability can be described as “the central and perhaps most powerful element of good governance”.1 Accountability for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery refers to the principle whereby government officials and those that have a responsibility in water services account for their actions and answer to those they serve.

Fragile contexts require an adaptation of regular models of WASH service deliveries applicable in stable contexts. These contexts contain additional actors and different accountability relations in light of the diminished presence or functioning of the state and sector institutions.