Human rights include access to safe, clean water. Particularly at health facilities, patients and health workers must have access to sanitation facilities and clean water used for cleaning medical equipment for infection prevention, washing hands for medical staff, and keeping toilets hygienic. However, many health facilities in remote areas in the Woreda lack access to water and sanitation facilities.

Yalo Woreda’s chief of water bureau, Adem Eto,  says connection to water systems in health facilities is one of the essential aspects in infection prevention. Additionally, a stable, safe water supply to health facilities can ensure the availability of tap water around the workplace and residences.

According to a baseline assessment carried out at three health facilities, the water systems of two facilities were not connected to the sources, except the Dibina health center. Nafto Health Post is not connected to the water system due to a lack of funds from the local government.

With funding secured from BHA, AIRD undertook construction of a 120-meter pipeline connection to a water source built with a concrete stand of 1.2m height. AIRD also installed a water storage tank with a capacity of 2,000 liters and a tap stand with two outlets. A hand-washing facility and toilet at Nafto health-post, Yalo woreda, Afar regional state, were also built.

Mahmuda Usman, the head of Yalo Woreda health office, said: “We appreciate AIRD’s kind donation and ongoing support, which made it possible for many patients to access quality health services. Health care staff and communities now have access to safe drinking water and water for domestic use.

Accessing water and sanitation is one of the SDGs, aimed at ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

AIRD is committed to ensuring that refugee settlements, camps and host communities have access to clean water for domestic use.