People in Need hands over water system in Ethiopia’s Hawassa Zuria District
Published: Feb 26, 2021 Reading time: 2 minutesDrinking water is scarce in the Sidama Region of Ethiopia, and many communities in this part of the country have no choice but to consume from unsafe sources. To address this issue, People in Need (PIN), with funding from the Czech Development Agency, has completed an infrastructure improvement project that will bring clean drinking water to more than 27,000 people.
As Part of the “Establishment of sustainable drinking water supply systems in Hawassa Zuriya Woreda, Sidama Region” initiative, the water scheme is currently supplying water to 20 collection points through 23 kilometres of pipeline in the three kebeles of Shamena Garmama, Umbulo Tengaka, and Umbulo Wacho. The system was officially handed over to the Hawassa Zuria District’s Water, Mines, and Energy Office, during a ceremony on 2 February.
Implemented by PIN and its partners IRCON, Aquacon, and Aquatest, the project will help ensure access to safe, affordable drinking water in the selected kebeles. The project aims to increase the drinking water supply, assist with water resource management, and improve the sanitation and hygiene conditions of beneficiaries. Taking into account the current rate of population growth, the water source capacity is designed to meet drinking water demands for the next 20 years.
People in Need hands over water system in Ethiopia’s Hawassa Zuria District
H.E Pavel Mikeš, the Czech Ambassador to Ethiopia, says: “Ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water supply and sanitation in the Sidama Region is part of the Czech Republic governments’ long-term programming.”
Along with the Czech ambassador, the handover ceremony was attended by H.E Ato. Desta Lodamo, Sidama Regional State President; representatives from the Czech Embassy in Addis Ababa; Mr. Abdul Manaf Abdeen, PIN Ethiopia Country Director, partner organisations, including IRCON, Aquacon, and Aquatest; and regional and district government representatives.
For over a decade, PIN, in collaboration with the Czech Development Agency and regional government bureaus, has been implementing projects aimed at ensuring long-term access to safe water. Projects have focused on several districts in the Sidama Region, including Aleta Wondo, Aleta Chuko, Loka Abaya, Dale, Bura, and Bona Zuriya.
H.E Ato. Desta Lodamo says: "PIN has become our strategic partner and the right hand to the development of our communities."
