Water is a source of life

Water is a source of life

photo by Jean Claude. Zienkolo village in Cote d'Ivoire

                                               OFFERING CLEAN WATER
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 Water and Sanitation sector in Côte d’Ivoire faces two major problems:

• 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

To address these issues, the United Methodist Church in Cote d'Ivoire is more focusing on the Water and Sanitation Program (Advance 3021991 for any donation at www.umcmission.org)   we are focused on two components:

•  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.

Francine caption in Gnangoussou village

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)

                                    WATER IS BRINGING HOPE IN ANY COMMUNITY
CONTACT:  jmaleka@umcmission.org  or malekamasuka@gmail.com