| Only about 20% of the Ethiopian population of 80 million have acess to drinking water and only 7% dispose of sanitation facilities on the country side. 46% of the whole population can be considered malnourished and 51% are living below the poverty line (source: UNDP 2007/2008). Aware of the importance of water for humans, livestock and agriculture HOPE’87 supports the Ethiopian NGO PADET in their endeavour to provide water and sanitation facilities to the population of the arid and semi-arid regions of the Afar State in North-East Ethiopia. Most of the Afar are living a (semi-) nomadic life with cattle farming as their main source of income. Through a participatory rural approach the affected population had been invited to share their views and needs regarding the scarcity of water and the lack of sanitation facilities. A special hydro-geological study served as the basis for the decision to establish different schemes for water provision and sanitation including ponds, hand dug wells, deep tube wells, spring developments, ventilation improved pit latrines, waste disposal pits and the set up water purification units (SkyJuice). Along with these activities water management committees were formed and trained to maintain the water and sanitation schemes in future. Additionally, “Peace Clubs” were founded in schools and mediation committees on clan and tribal level were established to raise awareness for harmful traditional practices as well as to mitigate in water-related conflicts and to strengthen a peaceful co-existence. |
