UN mission provides water pipes for Khartoum IDPs
February 13, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — About 30,000 people in a Khartoum suburb are enjoying clean, drinking water piped to their homes, rather than hauling the precious liquid in jerry cans from distant towers.
The new water pipes flowing into Haj Yousif area were laid down in three projects funded by UNMIS through its Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) unit, and carried out in coordination with the international non-governmental organization CARE.
Not only have the pipes greatly improved the lives of people in the district, who are mainly internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Southern Sudan and Darfur, they have benefited 17 schools, eight mosques and seven churches.
According to CIMIC Deputy Chief Major Bruce Clayton, the projects aimed to promote health and hygiene, improve public infrastructure and educate local people about UNMIS’ mandate.
As an added bonus, the pipes have freed women and children from time spent fetching water. “No longer do women and children have to spend much of their day toting water from the towers in jerrycans.
They can now spend their time more constructively working, attending school or, in the case of children, playing,” said Clayton.
The water projects began in September 2006 and were completed 29 January 2008, at a total cost of about$75,000. Local block committees organized labour for the work and contributed some additional financing.
(ST)