Authorities of Gogrial West County, Warrap State, on Wednesday said the International Organization for Migration (IOM) repaired 40 boreholes that were rendered unusable by floods last year.
Heavy rains and subsequent floods displaced thousands of people in the state with the most affected counties being Twic, Gogrial East and West, parts of Tonj East, South, and North, according to the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission and the national ministry of humanitarian and disaster management.
Joseph Akot, the Gogrial West County water and sanitation coordinator, told Radio Tamazuj that people displaced by floods now have access to clean drinking water after IOM’s intervention.
“IOM repaired 40 boreholes in Gogrial West County. They are the old ones which were broken and no new ones have been drilled,” Akot said. “All of them have been worked on except one which is being worked on now and the people are happy.”
He added: “They also put chlorine tablets in the pipes because dirty water entered them for a long time but I will make my report for other broken boreholes in the water and sanitation cluster meeting.”
According to Akot, five pumps were repaired in the Mangar-Ajak area, eight in Paweng, and some in Majok Awar. He said many IDPs do not have toilets but are using public toilets which were dug to mitigate the spread of diseases.
Arop Akol, a teacher who hails in Lol-nyiel village, confirmed the repair of the boreholes and said they were grateful to IOM.
“IOM repaired hand pumps in my Lol-nyiel village among others. IOM did a very good job and now people are drinking and enjoying clean water,” Akol said.