Overview
Ensuring that camp-based refugees have a safe and adequate
supply of clean water is an ongoing challenge for UNHCR and its
partners. Many camps are located in arid areas of Africa and
central Asia or in hot wet regions where water-borne diseases and
parasites pose a particular threat to refugees. Even in established
camps in eastern Chad, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, most refugees
receive far less than the international minimum water requirement
of 20 litres per person per day. Overcrowding easily results in
water contamination and diseases like dysentery, bloody diarrhoea
and cholera are widespread.
How we help
There are many elements to addressing a camp's need for clean
water. In both emergency and ongoing situations, we provide the
following materials to ensure refugees have clean and safe drinking
water:
- Jerry cans
- Buckets
- Water points
- Water wells and pipelines
- Water purification plants
During an emergency, our field teams often have to resort to
water trucking, an expensive and ultimately unsustainable practice.
As soon as possible, we engage hydrologists and engineers to
identify possible sources of potable ground water in the vicinity
of the refugee population. Our field staff also work with the
refugees themselves to establish 'water councils' in the camps.
These councils are responsible for the use and maintenance of the
community wells and distribute information on hygiene and
waterborne disease.
Donate
now to provide clean, safe water for a refugee
community.
Meeting the MDGs
UNHCR is meeting the following MDGs in its Clean Water
and Sanitation Program:
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MDG 7: The Clean Water and Sanitation Program
is focusing on the goal of halving the number of people without
sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
UNHCR works to coordinate sanitation systems, water delivery
methods, and the provision of basic carrying materials to ensure
refugees have access to safe and clean drinking water.
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News
ETHIOPIA: UNHCR completes major water project for Somali refugees in Ethiopia - 4 May 2010
UNHCR has completed and inaugurated a multi-million dollar water and electrification project that will benefit tens of thousands of people, including Somali refugees and members of the local community, in a semi-arid region of eastern Ethiopia.
Read more...
