Water is a source of life  |
| photo by Jean Claude. Zienkolo village in Cote d'Ivoire |
Many communities are in need of clean water to avoid undesirable diseases. Water is consumed daily by almost everyone either orally or through the skin by showering/bathing, swimming, etc. Clean water is an essential nutrient, the basis of fluids of all living organisms, and absolutely necessary to sustain life. When we talk about achieving optimum health, consuming clean water should be at the top of the “most important” need.
According to UNICEF; more than 8 million people – 43 % of Côte d’Ivoire’s population – lack
appropriate sanitation facilities and over 4 million people still use
unsafe drinking water sources, especially in rural areas. Consequently,
many children die every day from diarrhea and other diseases related to
the lack of water and appropriate sanitation; many more suffer and are
weakened by illness.
The lack of access to safe drinking water and appropriate sanitation has many other serious repercussions. Children – and particularly girls – are denied their right to education because they are busy fetching water or are deterred by the lack of separate and decent sanitation facilities in schools. Women are forced to spend large parts of their day fetching water (85.9% of women in Côte d’Ivoire are in charge of supplying their families with water). Poor farmers and workers are less productive due to frequent illnesses, and national economies suffer. Without safe water and appropriate sanitation, sustainable development is impossible.
The lack of access to safe drinking water and appropriate sanitation has many other serious repercussions. Children – and particularly girls – are denied their right to education because they are busy fetching water or are deterred by the lack of separate and decent sanitation facilities in schools. Women are forced to spend large parts of their day fetching water (85.9% of women in Côte d’Ivoire are in charge of supplying their families with water). Poor farmers and workers are less productive due to frequent illnesses, and national economies suffer. Without safe water and appropriate sanitation, sustainable development is impossible.
- The difficulty for many communities to access safe drinking water in sufficient quantities
- The limited access to sewage infrastructures and latrines, and difficulties in discharging household refuse in urban centers
- The supply of water in the community, school, and health centers, and churches.
- The promotion of hygiene and sanitation in community, school, and health centers and at the church.
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| Francine caption in Gnangoussou village |
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| Photo by Jean Claude |
- 24% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water (MICS)
- 35% of people living in rural areas do not have access to safe drinking water (MICS)
- 7.5% of girls under 15 are in charge of fetching water for their family
- 43% of the population does not have access to appropriate sanitary facilities (MICS)
CONTACT: jmaleka@umcmission.org or malekamasuka@gmail.com
