UNICEF’s Water Services Reach 400,000 in North East Nigeria

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that over 400,000 individuals in the North East region gained access to clean and safe water in 2023.

During the commemoration of the 2024 World Water Day in Maiduguri, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Phuong Nguyen, announced the organization’s efforts in providing water services to communities in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states. This included the installation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in 46 schools and 11 primary healthcare centers.

Nguyen highlighted UNICEF’s collaboration with the Borno State government to pioneer a small-town water scheme aimed at replacing costly and unsustainable water trucking systems in conflict-affected communities.

Addressing the pressing need for clean water in the region, Nguyen emphasized the transformative impact of collective action, stressing the importance of water security and cooperation in fostering peace and prosperity.

Despite progress, Nguyen acknowledged that access to safe water remains a critical challenge in Borno state, with only a mere 4% of the population having access to safely managed water. She urged governments at all levels to ramp up investment in the water sector to drive sustainable development in the region.

Government representatives, including the Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Alkali Lawan, and the Chairman of the State University Basic Education Board, Hajiya Hauwa Goma, reiterated their commitment to providing portable water, particularly in schools at the foundational level.

The event also featured engaging activities such as debates, quiz competitions among selected secondary schools, and poetic performances by students of the Federal Government College Maiduguri, underscoring the theme of the 2024 World Water Day: “Water for Peace.”