Blue Nile refugees in Ethiopia report drinking water shortage

A scarcity of drinking water is reported in some camps for Blue Nile refugees in western Ethiopia, including Tango, Sherkole and Ashura.

A scarcity of drinking water is reported in some camps for Blue Nile refugees in western Ethiopia, including Tango, Sherkole and Ashura.

In a number of camp blocks, mothers and children have reportedly lined up for hours to get water, while in others there are complaints that the water supply is contaminated.

A source in one of the camps told Radio Tamazuj he feared there were not enough WASH personnel and this could result in spreading of diseases linked to use of contaminated water.

“There is a big problem with water here at Tango camp… it is not enough for all of the people and there are people standing in the queue a long time, there are people who leave the school to do this, why, because the supply is not enough,” he claimed.

Photo: Children and women queue at the water points at Jamam refugee camp (Oxfam/John Ferguson)