Residents of ZorGeipa Face Water Crisis Amidst Global Awareness

181

3 Mins Read


ADNews-Nimba: The only source of drinking water for over 3,000 residents in the Yekapa district of Nimba is a thirty-minute walk from ZorGeipa. This water source is not safe for drinking, raising concerns about potential disease outbreaks in the area.

Joseph Tumbey

ZorGeipa, situated beneath the East Nimba Reserved Forest, struggles with a critical lack of safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. This northern region of Nimba County, home to Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung and Senators Prince Y. Johnson and Nyan Tuayan, is in urgent need of assistance.

Koung, who is in his first year in office after narrowly winning the 2023 legislative and presidential elections, faces increasing pressure to address this crisis. In electoral district #3, locals often resort to fetching water from creeks and streams due to the absence of hand pumps, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases.

March 22 marked World Water Day, a United Nations initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of freshwater and promoting sustainable management of water resources. Approximately 2.2 billion people globally lack access to safe water, underscoring the urgency of tackling the global water crisis.

A key focus of World Water Day is achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6: ensuring water and sanitation for all by 2030—an aim that Liberia, the oldest country in Africa, has yet to achieve. Nimba County, one of Liberia’s fifteen counties, is represented in the legislature by eleven elected lawmakers, including prominent figures such as Vice President Koung and Senator Prince Y. Johnson, who has held office since 2005.

Despite the political representation, residents of Nimba County continue to suffer from inadequate access to safe drinking water. Prince Gbormie, a resident of ZorGeipa, shared the challenges faced in obtaining safe water, stating, “We often experience health issues because of the creek. During both the dry and rainy seasons, many in the town suffer from diarrhea.”

Gbormie lamented that the absence of proper drinking water and sanitation facilities poses a severe health threat to the community. Two hand pumps constructed by NGOs have since broken down, forcing residents to rely on untreated water from creeks and rivers.

Samuel Zarwolo, another resident, emphasized the dire situation, noting, “Our hand pumps are not functioning, so many of us have to use creek water for drinking and cooking. The pollution worsens during the rainy season, making it even harder to access clean water.”

Cecelia M. Suah, a pregnant resident, voiced her desperation: “Sometimes, after heavy rains, the creek water becomes polluted. We have no choice but to use it for drinking, washing, and cooking. We need help.”

The lack of safe drinking water is just one of many challenges faced by residents, most of whom rely on farming for their livelihoods. They continue to call on the government and humanitarian organizations to provide hand pumps and improve water access.

According to a 2017 UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme report, Liberia is rich in natural water sources, yet infrastructure and services to ensure safe drinking water remain inadequate. Sanitation conditions are equally alarming, with about 42% of the population practicing open defecation.

Less than 10% of Liberians have access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. Ensuring access to safe water and sanitation could significantly reduce infections, diseases, and mortality rates in the country.

The challenges faced by the residents of ZorGeipa serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing water crisis in Liberia, emphasizing the need for immediate action from both the government and international aid organizations.

Comments are closed.