Liberia: WASH R&E Network Completes Evaluation In Gbelay-Geh District
By: Augustine N. Myers – The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia, has completed an intensive evaluation of access to safe drinking water and adequate & improved latrine facilities of Ivorian Refugees and host Communities in Nimba County.
In Duoplay, woman worrying about safe drinking water
The evaluation of the water and latrine facilities by the WASH R&E Network was carried out in 15 large and populated communities in Gbelay-Geh District, close to the Liberian-Ivorian boarder.
A release from the WASH R&E Network says the evaluation discovered a huge gap in the provision of safe drinking water and the need for the construction of more hand pumps and secured wells to meet the demand of thousands of the citizens and refugees.
One of the local wells in Loguatuo
According to a survey conducted by the WASH R&E Network, with a population of 0ver 50 thousand people in the 15 Communities, there are only 73 hand pumps and 431 latrine facilities, a situation considered as very deplorable.
Most of the latrine facilities are covered by grass and are not been used, thereby forcing both residents and refugees to use the nearby bush to ease themselves, a situation blamed on the lack of interest to use the facilities due to tradition believes.
Local toilet almost taken over by bush
The host population is put at 54, 966, while the refugee population that has already been integrated into the local community is put at 4, 680.
The WASH R&E Network has described as worrisome, the 73 hand pumps most of which are broken down due to long period and lack of care, to serve over 50 thousand persons.
The standard set by the Liberian Government and WASH partners puts it at 250 persons to one hand pump, something that is far from reality in Gbelay-Geh District, Nimba County and other Counties earlier visited by the WASH R&E Network as part of its Assessment.
Example of one of the Communities in Gbelay-Geh without a single hand pump is Devaplay, which has a host population of 679 citizens and 572 refugees.
The WASH R&E is urging the Liberian Government and partners to divert their attention to Gbelay-Geh, and other areas with
One of the few hand pumps in Karnplay
similar safe drinking water problem.
Latrine facilities closed, & nearby bush used for open defecation
The WASH R&E Network says the Evaluation which was facilitated by its host Organization, the “Liberia Media Empowerment & Advocacy Foundation (LIMEAF Inc.)” as part of the Network’s Media Assessment and Advocacy Program.
The Evaluation is also part of preparation by the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia to commence WASH Media Forum aimed at scrutinizing the political platforms of all candidates on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in the 2011 Legislative and Presidential elections.
The WASH Media Forum is supported by WaterAid Liberia and Sierra Leone, as part of a partnership with the WASH R&E Network, to ensure that the issues of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) are prioritized, especially by politicians who are also decision makers.
During the Evaluation, it was however noticed that the Lutheran Development Service (LDS) in Liberia was rehabilitation of some damaged hand pumps and at the same time constructing few others in some of the Communities in Gbelay-Geh District, Nimba County.
Below are the statistics of the Evaluation done by the WASH Reporters Network of Liberia.
Devaplay has a host population of 679, while refugee population is 572;
Comments: Devaplay does not have a single hand pump. The town is in dye need of safe drinking water, but it is completely inaccessible, especially to cars. There are 11 latrine facilities
Gbanplay has a host population of 752, and refugee population of 98.
The town has only two hand pumps that have broken down since last year, and that the people are now in search of safe drinking water. There are 13 latrine facilities as well.
Kissiplay has a host population of 900, and refugee of 401.
The town has two hand pumps, and one is down, leaving the people with only one. There are 18 latrine facilities
Kpanplay has a host population of 987, and refugee of 53.
The town has three hand pumps, and have all broken down since last year.
There are 20 latrine facilities.
Zeanlay has a population of 1,100, and refugee population of 41.
The town has two hand pumps. One is functioning, while the other is out of use. There are 23 latrine facilities.
One of the towns in Gbelay-Geh in-need of safe drinking water
Kenlay-2 has a host population of 1,557, and refugee population of 62.
The town has only two hand pumps. One is functioning well, while the other is almost out of use. There are 28 latrine facilities.
Duonplay has a host population of 1,616, and refugee population of 172.
The town with such huge population has one hand pump that is not functioning. Citizens and refugees are in dye need of safe drinking water.
There are 26 latrine facilities.
Kenlay-1 has a host population of 1,480, and refugee population is 151.
The town has only one hand pump that is not functioning too well (water quick to dry up). There are 23 latrine facilities.
Loguatuo has a host population of 1,844, and refugee population of 321. The town has two hand pumps, and a need for more.
There are 22 latrine facilities.
Yeaplay has a host population of 2,341, and a refugee population of 771.
The town has two hand pumps that are under renovation by the Red Cross, and a new one being constructed.
There are 28 latrine facilities.
Larpea-2 has a host population of 3,001, and refugee population of 80.
The town has four hand pumps. Two are functioning, while the other two are not functioning. There are 33 latrine facilities to host the huge population.
Duoplay has a host population of 3,668, and a refugee population of 501.
The town has a total of four hand pumps that are not producing enough water, because water pressure is very low.
There are 39 latrine facilities.
Younlay has a host population of 5,552, and refugee population of 524.
The town has six hand pumps. Only one is fully functioning, while five are out of use and are being rehabilitated by the Liberian Red Cross. There is a need for additional hand pumps due to the huge demand for safe drinking water. There are about 44 latrine facilities.
Larpea-1 has a host population of 9,941, and refugee population of 377.
The town has a total of eight hand pumps. Four are actively functioning, while the remaining four are not functioning.
There are 48 latrine facilities.
Karnplay has a host population of 10,548, and refugee population of 556.
The town has a total of thirty three (33) hand pumps. Twenty nine (29) are functioning, while at least four are not functioning.
There are about 55 latrine facilities.
