Five vulnerable Nigerien villages are to benefit from improved access to basic services, as an Islamic Relief water project enables people to look after their health and frees up time to study or earn a living.
Around 90 per cent of people in Niger - one of the least developed countries on the planet – live without sanitation. In rural areas, huge swathes of the population do not have adequate access to safe drinking water.
As a result, many are forced to use whatever water is available – risking life-threatening water-borne diseases. In May this year, the Nigerien government declared a cholera epidemic.
In the western region of Tillaberi, where more than half of the population lack access to drinking water, women and children often shoulder the burden of water collection - often travelling several kilometres to the nearest water point. The time-consuming but essential activity prevents many from attending schools and health centres.
However, Islamic Relief is hard at work to change this. In a project which began in April, we are extending and strengthening the system that currently supplies water to about 22,600 people via 5,000 meters of pipes.
When the project is completed next spring, the system – which is based in Anzourou and currently serves four villages - will also provide 2,345 people living in Bangoutande village with access to clean water.
Health centres and schools in the villages already connected to the system will also have water points installed, to facilitate regular attendance and ease the burden that women and children face in collecting water.
In addition to the extended pipework and extra water points, we will also install a solar pumping system. Communities will be trained and empowered to look after the water system and repair it when necessary, as part of efforts to ensure local people have sustainable access to water.
The project is part of a holistic approach to tackling poverty and suffering in the region, complementing other Islamic Relief schemes including disaster-risk reduction, food security, livelihoods, child welfare and health projects.
