Monday marked a significant milestone for the residents of the Eastern Equatoria State capital, Torit, as the German Embassy in South Sudan and UNICEF South Sudan handed over the newly rehabilitated and expanded water supply system to the state authorities.
According to a press statement, the German Government, through its generous funding of USD 2 million made possible the new system that will greatly augment the capacity of the water supply network in Torit which will benefit 43,800 residents.
“The upgraded supply system in Torit includes two boreholes equipped with solar-powered submersible pumps, a 25-kilometre pipeline distribution network, and an additional 500 cubic meter storage, increasing the total storage capacity by 50 percent. The project has also added 25 new water kiosks to the existing eight which will reach more people and shorten distance to water collection points, The statement said. “This intervention is part of a number of German-funded water supply projects implemented by UNICEF in South Sudan. Funding provided by the German Development Bank (KfW) already improved water infrastructure in Juba, Yei, Yambio, and now Torit.”
“The German Technical Assistance, GIZ, provided technical training to ensure sustainable operation of this precious infrastructure investment,” the statement added.
Christian Sedat, the German Ambassador to South Sudan, said during the hand-over ceremony in Torit on Monday that access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right and essential for development.
“Germany takes pride in contributing to this vital endeavor. The inauguration of this new water supply system in Torit made possible through German support, underscores the power of collaboration among all stakeholders in the water sector in South Sudan,” he said. “Germany reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting South Sudan’s peace process and long-term development.”
UNICEF implemented the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, the State Government of Eastern Equatoria, and Torit Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Company, which has completed the Torit water supply system expansion.
For her part, Hamida Lasseko, the UNICEF Representative in South Sudan, stressed that without clean and safe water, vulnerable communities across South Sudan will lose the fight against poverty and water-borne diseases.
“We are thrilled that 43,800 people, mainly women and children, will benefit from clean and safe water, leading to improved sanitation and hygiene at household levels, health facilities and schools,” she said.
The rehabilitation and expansion work, commenced with phase 1 in November 2022, which upgraded the water treatment plant. By June 2023, phase 2 had restored the water supply and installed solar panels, generators, and tanks. The system now includes a chlorine dosing mechanism to minimize the risk of contamination during collection and storage to ensure water safety.
Germany, as the second biggest bilateral donor in South Sudan, continues to be a reliable partner to the people of South Sudan, actively supporting the implementation of the peace process and the long-term development of the country.
“This includes a focus on enhancing local governance, promoting rural development, encouraging sustainable agriculture, advocating for gender equality, preventing sexual and gender-based violence, and supporting Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives,” the statement concluded. “In addition, Germany stands as one of the most significant contributors to Humanitarian Assistance in South Sudan, further demonstrating its commitment to the country’s well-being and progress.”