Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Sierra Leone under its Wash Self-Supply (SLE 1072), Linking Agriculture, Natural Resources Management and Nutrition (LANN SLE 1084) and Covid-19 Fair Trade Emergency Initiative (SLE 1087) projects has on Monday 22nd March 2021 celebrated World Water Day.
The event was held at Blama Town, Small Bo Chiefdom in the Kenema District. The three projects funded by European Union, Irish Aid and GIZ respectively are engaged in various sectors in communities around Kailahun, Kenema and Kono Districts ranging from agriculture, water and sanitation, nutrition, and effective natural resource management.
Representing the Paramount Chief of Small Bo Chiefdom, Councillor Ishmael Gobba noted that the celebration is significant and timely while also thanking Welthungerhilfe and the Government of Sierra Leone for brining development to their communities especially those involved in the water and sanitation sector.
He stressed that “water is life” hence the urgent need for the people to benefit from clean, pure, and safe water supply.
Augustine Songa Amara from the Water Directorate in Kenema District stated that “everything we do in life depends on water which is life.”
World Water Day came about during a United Nations Assembly meeting in 1992 from the realization that without pure and safe water, human beings would die in unprecedented numbers.
“This Day is celebrated to create awareness around the world on the need to value water as a sour e of life,” Amara maintained.
Human behaviour like timber logging and deforestation he noted has adversely affected sources of water in communities in Sierra Leone and other parts of the world. He warned that parents must not send their young children to fetch water from the hand operated pumps, so they will not spoil them. Councillor Amara acknowledged the support of development partners for ensuring that eighty percent of communities in the chiefdom have access to clean and safe drinking water.
The Deputy District Council Chairman, Yayah Emmanuel Kajue, also emphasized that water is life and invaluable to man. He stressed that parents should advise their children to properly handle the hand-dug wells “a without water we would not exist.”Kajue urged the community and local stakeholders to take the message to the people that “water is key to daily human existence.”
Prince P. Mansaray representing Civil Society Organizations in Kenema District stated that managing water sources and catchments in our communities is very crucial to the wellbeing of all.He warned that people should stop cutting down trees in our forests to protect our water sources. Patrick Raymond Musa, Programme Manager of Water Aid Sierra Leone noted that water management comes along with huge challenges because of human behaviour that adversely affects the environment leading to climate change.
“Several years ago, the River Wanje never dried up but as a result of deforestation, it now dries up,” Musa recalled.
The Day’s celebration he maintained is to remind Government about its role in effective water management in the country; adding that the value of water outweighs the cost.
“Water is more valuable than our relationships,” Musa further noted; appealing with the Government to increase its 1.55 budgetary allocation to the water sector.
“We spend too much on curative approaches instead of preventive ones… community people must be part of all water-related projects in our communities in order not to undermine the management of water facilities,” the Water Aid Sierra Leone Programme Manager stated while referencing similar past situation in Bangladesh.
He urged all to come together and ensure the value of water is not lost.
Eric Moosa WASH Focal and Principal Public Health Superintendent from the District Health Medical Team (DHMT) Kenema District in a frank mood blamed the mismanagement of water facilities on community people as they are the ones who send their young children to the pumps.
He also singled out human negative behaviour as the main reason for destruction of water sources in communities and forests.
“We done value water in our communities,” Moosa retorted
Emmanuel C. Mbayoh, WASH Manager of SEND Sierra Leone, an implementing partner of Welthungerhilfe acknowledged “if we value our lives, we should also know that water is very valuable too.”
He disclosed that 2.2 million people worldwide live without access to safe drinking water which according to him is a precious treasure; adding that many illnesses contracted are because of dirty water.
Mbayoh urged that people should be willing to pay for water in order appreciate its value.
Philip James Kamanda of Development Initiative Partners said the event serves as a platform to inspire change of attitude and behaviour towards effective ways of handling and managing water in our communities.
“People have to take responsibility and ownership of water facilities in their communities… Let us value water which must be clean and drinkable,” Kamanda stated; adding that water is important to all human beings.
Welthungerhilfe Head of Project, Wash Self-Supply Project in Kenema District- Frederick Fabba disclosed that his organization is involved in various sectors not only limited to water and sanitation but agriculture, nutrition, energy etc.
“Access to water is a right of every individual and must be valued because most of our traditional rites and ceremonies are dependent on water,” Fabba stated. He maintained that the mismanagement of water in our communities is the fault of everyone.
As an effective approach to providing water for communities and ensuring they value it, Fabba informed that WHH ensures the people in local remote communities make financial contributions towards the effort.
He noted that WHH attaches immense value to providing clean and safe drinking water to communities it operates for the wellbeing of the people.
Aminata Deen, Field Officer of SLE 1087 appealed to farmers to take water issues seriously and not tamper with its sources in the bushes and forest where they undertake farming activities. “Clean and safe water prevents us and our children from getting sick,” she stated, reminding all to always stick to the stipulated Covid-19 prevention methods to lead a healthy life in their communities.
Livelihood Officer of SEND Sierra Leone – Mariama Kowa demonstrated and spoke about acceptable ways of handwashing for at least two minutes to prevent germs contamination.Lansana Ndawa, Community Mobiliser of MOPADA, another implementing partner of Welthungerhilfe delivered the vote of thanks.
“Valuing Water” being this year’s theme, World Water Day is set aside by the United Nations to celebrate water and raise awareness of the global water crisis. A core focus of the observance is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
By Tamba Borbor
Public Relations Officer
WHH, SLE 1048
