Minister orders tap water connections in camps

Ministry of Water and Sanitation says Blantyre Water Board (BWB) and Southern Region Water Boards will start connecting Water taps to all evacuation camps to prevent the resurgence of cholera cases.

In an interview yesterday during a tour to appreciate the extent of BWB equipment damage, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana Kakhobwe Chapota said her ministry was aware of water sanitation and hygiene (Wash) challenges in some evacuation camps.

She said: “As a ministry, we are working hand in hand with the boards so that they can provide clean water through water bowsers. We are also looking at some solutions such as extension of [water] pipes to the camps so that people can have access to clean water.”

Chapota’s sentiments come against the background of worsening poor sanitation in some evacuation camps due to lack of running water and toilets, a situation that exposes Cyclone Freddy survivors to waterborne diseases such as cholera which has already killed 1 606 since March last year.

BWB chief executive officer Robert Hanjahanja said the board is struggling to supply water in its jurisdiction due to the damaged water pipes following Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

 “So, we are now working on a case by case basis to ensure that everywhere where we are supposed to supply, water is available. Restoration of water supply is probably at 60 to 70 percent.”

Mulanje district commissioner David Gondwe noted that Wash is a big problem in most evacuation centres in the district.

He noted that most toilets in evacuation camps are flooded, a situition that puts Cyclone Freddy survivors at risk of contracting cholera.

“That problem is grave and to that effect, we need some quick intervention so that we don’t breed cholera,” said Gondwe.