Two water yards have been handed over to the Nasikal and Namonichek communities in Iriwoto, Kapoeta North County.
Mrs Josephine Napwon Cosmas, National Minister of Environment, launched the water yards last week to curb the acute water shortage experienced in the area.
The hand-over ceremony was attended by Emmanuel Lolimo Epone, the Commissioner for Kapoeta North County, National Members of Parliament and a host of state and national government officials.
Despite it’s fast growing population, Kapoeta North has suffered drought and lack of clean drinking water and hence the water yards are a sign of relief to residents.
Minister Napwon said, the compounding droughts occasioned by climate change effects had compelled residents of Kapoeta North to trek several kilometers in search of water for their domestic and livestock.
“I have come here so that we can officially launch and open the water yards that I have donated to my community. Greater Kapoeta in general has a lot of challenges not only here in Irwoto, but almost all the counties. We are facing these challenges especially water, education and also health,” she noted.
Napwon said the two water points will resolve the biggest water crisis in the highly populated Kapoeta North region.
“This is the only thing I can give to my community, there is nothing greater than life, water is life, environment is life. I have come up with this project so that it will help the vulnerable women and children,” she added.
She said members of communities in Chumahori or Namonichek have been trekking for between one and two hours in serach of the vital commodity.
Minister Napwon said together with the Commissioner of Kapoeta North Emmanuel Lolimo Epone and the Governor of Eastern Equatoria Luis Lobong, they had to identified major water shortage hotspots.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Lolimo said the water points would help vulnerable women and children access clean drinking water easily.
“This water is going to help our people in so many ways; first of all, the issues of Gender Based Violence will be reduced, because women used to walk longer distances to fetch water and when they come late, they are also beaten at home but now they can access water at nearby sources,” he said.
Adding, “On the side of hygiene and sanitation all community members are going to maintain cleanliness, also livestock, especially the calves will be able to access the water.”
Lolimo also said the water yards will reduce insecurity in the areas as livestock will also have drinking points around the water yards.
“There used to be fear when there was insecurity especially when there are cattle raids, women could not fetch water from far distance, but now they can,” he said.
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