Life-saving WASH emergency aid in Pulka

In the states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY states), 5.1 million people are currently in urgent need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, the majority of whom are children (Humanitarian Response Plan 2023). This represents a significant increase compared to the 3 million people affected in 2022.

One reason for the inadequate water supply in the project region is the condition of many boreholes, which urgently need to be chlorinated and rehabilitated. The lack of clean water and adequate sanitary facilities has already led to a number of problems, including the consumption of water from unsafe sources. This contributed to more than 1,000 cases of cholera being reported in BAY states in 2022, with Borno being the most affected region with over half of the cases (OCHA 2022).

In southwest Borneo, the Pulka region is struggling heavily with the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to extensive displacement and a very fragile security situation. The constant influx of internally displaced persons and returnees is leading to an increase in needs and an overload of scarce local resources. This also has a considerable impact on the infrastructure for water, sanitation and hygiene.

Due to security concerns, repeated conflict-related interruptions and the lack of solid partnerships with local health organizations, the possibilities for humanitarian support in the Pulka area were and are severely limited. This has contributed to a further deterioration of the health system and increased the difficulties and risks for the population. 

Another aggravating factor is damage caused by wind, to which sanitary facilities and water systems are increasingly exposed due to climate change and deforestation. 

The project aims to improve and maintain access to: 

• a safe and sufficient supply of drinking water 
• safe and adequate sanitation facilities 
• appropriate gender- and age-appropriate hygiene information 
• information on preparing for and responding to cholera outbreaks to reduce public health risks

• Repair of ten hand pumps in refugee camps and host communities 
• Training of ten WASH committees 
• Daily chlorination and testing of water 
• Construction of 1,300 household latrines 
• Rehabilitation of 200 sanitary blocks (latrines and showers) with five compartments each 
• Construction of four waste disposal sites for waste in camps and host communities 
• Supporting sanitation control and waste management by providing 160 sanitation kits for the WASH committees 
• Training of 40 facilitators who will educate and train adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene at different levels in the community 
• Training of adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene, conducted at secondary schools 
• Implementation of hygiene sensitization campaigns (eight months) with cholera-tailored messages to curb cholera outbreaks 
• Distribution of 6,000 cholera kits to households in Camp C in Pulka 
• Conducted eight trainings for eight WASH committees on cholera control and provided disinfection kits 
• Implementation of 16 environmental disinfection campaigns (two per month in the eight months with the highest risk of cholera infection) in homes and sanitation facilities to reduce the spread of cholera