Social Issue

The Tigray region, located in northern Ethiopia, is home to nearly 4.8 million people. However, only 39% of Tigrinians currently have access to safe, clean water.

Access to clean water is at a critically low level in the Seharti Samre and Mai Adrasha areas of Tigray. Most families in Tigray rely on water from unprotected streams and ponds. Since the responsibility of fetching water falls primarily to women, many Tigrinian women and girls travel long distances to collect dirty water – keeping them out of work and school.

Lack of access to safe drinking water is the cause of 80% of diseases in rural Ethiopia, with waterborne diseases being the single largest contributor to Ethiopia’s high infant mortality rate. Other common health problems such as diarrhea, intestinal parasites, skin infections and dysentery are preventable with improved water supply.

Our Response

The project involves the construction of 20 wells in the Seharti Samre and Mai Adrasha areas in the Tigray region.

Expected Social Impact

This project is expected to generate the following results:

• To provide clean, safe drinking water for approximately 4.700 community members in the Seharti Samre and Mai Adrasha areas (water available within 1.5 km or about a 30-minute walk).
• Formation of community-led Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committees trained in water management and maintenance skills.
• Expected reduction in disease with the use of clean water, which also contributes to reduced costs for medical expenses and increased community self-esteem.
• To improve the lives of women and girls, who normally bear the burden of fetching water.