WASH Sector Nigeria has revealed that over five million people comprising internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and the host communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States were in need of water, sanitation and hygiene services.
The Sector Coordinator in charge of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, Francois Bellet, who spoke in Maiduguri on Tuesday while commemorating 2024 World Water Day, organised by WASH Sector Nigeria in collaboration with Borno State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, supported by Unique Care and Support Foundation, disclosed that safe drinking water is key to addressing acute vulnerability towards preventing vicious circle like malnutrition in the three states of the Northeast which experienced Boko Haram conflict.
According to him,”five million people are still in need of WASH in North East Nigeria. There is a need to address this concern because safe drinking water is key to addressing WASH related acute vulnerabilities such as germs and other diseases.
“The WASH Sector which consists of 42 humanitarian organisations has in collaboration with other partners supported 1.6 million people in Borno state with safe drinking water in 2023”.
He said there is a need to make available safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities in IDP camps and the host communities for the benefit of the vulnerable persons.
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Speaking, the General Manager, Borno state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency RUWASSA, Dr Mohammed Aliyu, said the state government has constructed over 200 hybrid boreholes, 462 hand pumps and rehabilitated 316 solar-powered boreholes across the state in the last five years.
The GM was represented by the Director Administration and supply, Hajiya Hauwa Anas, who stated that two millions people are currently being reconnected with clean water, in an effort to achieve SDG Goal 6.
In her remarks, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Maiduguri, Phuong T. Nguyen, noted that ensuring reliable access to water is paramount for peaceful coexistence in the North East that is emerging form fifteen years of conflict.
She explained that millions of children and families in the region still lack access to safe water and therefore advocated for more investment in the sector.
“There’s an urgent need to increase investments to accelerate progress for both climate friendly water and sanitation services in Borno State and across northeast Nigeria.
“The UNICEF Chief explained that initiatives such as the Small-Town Water Scheme have revolutionized water access in conflict-affected communities, demonstrating the power of innovation in addressing complex challenges”.
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