| Digging Wells in Sudan
Water is the main concern for the people in south Sudan. Wells need to be dug to dangerous depths to reach the water table, several people have been buried alive as wells collapsed in on them.
Wells are few and far between and for many people the journey to the nearest water source is days away. Mayan, 47, used to make a 45 km round trip from his home in Akoi village to get water. Without water he cannot farm.
Islamic Relief engineers are digging borehole wells in Warrap. In Akoi village Islamic Relief is sinking a borehole to give easy access to clean water.
Without this well, the community will have to rely on stagnant pools of water, making them vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Guinea worm and other diseases are widespread across Warrap state.
Islamic Relief has a drilling rig working in the Warrap region. An estimated 15% of Warrap's people are benefiting from Islamic Relief boreholes, according to the Commissioner of Toni, in northern Warrap, Achull Magardit.
As the first spurts of water gush out of the pipe, the people cheer. Easily available, clean water is improving the health of rural communities who are struggling to recover from the civil war.
Over the last two years, Islamic Relief has drilled and installed 70 new hand pumps in Warrap and rehabilitated another 50, benefiting around 20,000 of its people.
Islamic Relief has formed 128 Water Development Committees; each manages the water sources in its locality, ensuring that they are properly maintained.
The committees also help promote awareness of good hygiene practices.
Islamic Relief is also training pump mechanics to maintain the pumps.
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