NGO promotes access to safe potable water

 Evidence Action Organisation says it is committed to promoting access to safe water in rural areas to prevent waterborne diseases.

Speaking on Wednesday at Mdeka in Blantyre during the launch of safe water programme for the Southern Region, the organisation’s board chairperson Anne Phoya said they have installed 12 000 chlorine dispensers in water sources, especially boreholes in Zomba, Balaka, Blantyre, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Mangochi, Mwanza and Neno districts.

“This way, people will get safe water for drinking,” she said.

Phoya said the initiative is one of the ways to prevent diarrhoea, which is the world’s second-leading cause of child deaths.

Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, who was the guest of honour, commended the organisation for the initiative.

“This is a timely intervention as the country is fighting the cholera outbreak. We have to encourage people to treat water with chlorine to reduce waterborne diseases,” she said.

Traditional Authority Chigaru said the initiative will protect his subjects from cholera.

The expansion of the programme will enable 2.1 million people in the targeted districts to drink safe water from boreholes.