Access to clean water

I used to have to walk for hours to get water for my family,” says Nyakwoth. “For me, the journey would take even longer because sometimes I would have to carry the baby. We would have to wait for hours, [for our turn]. Sometimes, we would end up fighting over the scarce water,” she adds.. IOM.

South Sudan | 2021 | CBPF

South Sudan, Greater Tonj and Bor.  Supporting access to safe water reduces community tension and makes women safer.

In Bor south, thousands of displaced people were struggling due to poor access to safe water. International Aid Services repaired several boreholes, with the support of the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund. “When this borehole broke down, life was very difficult for us. We all crowded at the other water collection point, causing congestion and tension,” says Nyachoat, a local resident. “Since [this borehole was rehabilitated]…I am now able to collect more water…for the household. I no longer involve myself in those tensions because there is no need to struggle for water.”

Elsewhere, improved access to water had a similar effect, reducing community tension.

Conflict, heavy floods, and extreme drought have left many in Mabior Yar, Greater Tonj, in need of safe drinking water. Many water points were ruined or broken and heavy rains washed away crops.

For Nyakwoth, fetching water was an arduous daily journey. “I used to have to walk for hours to get water for my family,” says Nyakwoth. “For me, the journey would take even longer because sometimes I would have to carry the baby. We would have to wait for hours, [for our turn]. Sometimes, we would end up fighting over the scarce water,” she adds.

With South Sudan Humanitarian Fund support, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) built and repaired boreholes and provided much-needed WASH items like purification tablets, jerrycans, and buckets. This helped Nyakwoth and her neighbours to access water safely and securely.

*Names have been changed.

2021

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More information on the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund:
OCHA – POOLED FUNDS DATA HUB – By Country (unocha.org)
https://www.unocha.org/south-sudan/about-ss-hf