Water and Sanitation

Women are in many cases the main care takers of the families in Somalia. They supply the household with water, food and are the key people that promote hygiene in their families. WOCCA supports families by giving women, children and men access to hygiene facilities like latrines. Usually slabs are provided and the families build latrines around them. This is an effective and relatively cheap way to reduce the infection rate of diseases like cholera. At the same time, WOCCA tries to give people better access to water by rehabilitating water sources and chlorination. Clean water is essential to reduce diseases.

The above is a picture of a lady of 15 years old who lives in one of the village in Middle Shabelle. She was attacked by a crocodile, but luckily she is alive although the ordeal left her wounded seriously. She had gone to the river to fetch water because that was the only source of water available in village. In the process of fetching the water from the river, the crocodile attacked her.

In as much as she was rescued, her life can never be the same again because she has been left with glaring scars on her leg which is a very sensitive part of her body. She now lives with the problem since she experiences difficulties that may not allow her to go to the river again due to the injuries inflicted. This is but just an example of the challenges that are faced by women in this region as they go about their daily activities as they try to feed for themselves and their children.

Objectives in Wash

• Increase access to clean water in the target areas by digging and rehabilitating wells as well as water catchments and train people on responsible usage of water.
• Chlorinate wells and any other water source in the target area with the help of all stakeholders including donors.
• Provide Sanitary and health TOT training for community members.
• Provision of sanitary supplies such as soap, leak cans, Jerricans, Chlorofoc and chlorine, water purification tablets, ceramic filters.