(21.04.2009) In Norway we take our showers in drinking water. We do our dishes in drinking water, we wash our dirty laundry in drinking water, and we flush the toilettes with drinking water.
These are all simple facts, the bare reality for spoiled Norwegians. But when you live and work in Sudan, these facts seem absurd. When you have no choice but to purchase your drinking water in 20 liters jerry cans, and drag them up three flights, you’ll gain a different perspective.
At the same time I know that I am of the privileged in Sudan, I can afford to buy my drinking water in the shop 50 meters away from my flat.
In Red Sea State fewer than 40 % of the inhabitants have access to safe drinking water. In the rural areas the nearest well can be located as far away as eleven hours by foot. Lucky are those to own a donkey or a camel to carry the collected water back to the village.
Diarrhea and Cholera
The lack of safe drinking water cause obvious hazards. Dehydration is a serious health issue, that I can confirm, and the threat of diseases spread by infected water creates a big risk for the people of Sudan, Acute Watery Diarrhea and Cholera are the most common and mostly feared diseases.
As we now enter the dry summer months in Red Sea State the demand for water from open wells and water pumps will increase. The temperature may reach 50 degrees Celsius, thus both people and livestock will need more water to survive.
Safe drinkingwater
With financial and project support from the Norwegian and Danish Red Cross the Sudanese Red Crescent can dig wells. We build water pumps and water reservoirs. Where there has been no access to water for miles in range, the Sudanese Red Crescent dig a well, and train volunteers in maintenance and sanitation. The volunteers form activity groups, and together they visit the rural households and inform about the importance of keeping your drinking water apart from the latrine.
The inhabitants in the desert towns of Derudeb and Haiya get access to safe drinking water for both people and livestock, with the result that their livestock survives the dry desert summer, and the people avoid dangerous diseases. The volunteers of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society in fact work to save lives.
