In a continuing effort to ease water shortages in Blue Nile State, UNMIS' Pakistani Contingent recently repaired four hand pumps at Hai Wahda, Hai Madnin and Sereo villages.
New pipes, cylinders, nuts or bolts were fitted to the pumps, which were repaired as part of a project the Contingent is carrying out in collaboration with Blue Nile State Water, Environment and Sanitation Department to reactivate 28 hand pumps at 20 villages in the state.
Areas in and around Ed Damazin have access to river water, but women must walk long distances to obtain it. Alternatively, they can buy a five-litre can of it for 3 SDG from sellers on donkey carts, who haul gallon drums of water from the river each morning.
Less than 30 per cent of the Sudanese population has reliable access to safe and clean water. Water shortages mainly affect women and children, who bear the brunt of water-born diseases and suffer higher rates of mortality.
Previously, the Pakistani Contingent repaired three water hand pumps at Abu Zubair, Ganees Sharq and Alhajar Alghurba villages. |
Celebrations at Hai Madnin after handpump repaired |
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