EU providing safe water in pesticides danger zone

Some 2,000 residents in the pesticide contaminated villages of Tin Essako and Anefis, in the northern Malian region of Kidal, can soon look forward to clean drinking water following a decision by the European Commission to pay for well construction at the two sites. The ECs humanitarian office, ECHO, which will manage the 50,000-euro project, said on Thursday that well construction would be carried out by the Spanish chapter of Action Contre la Faim (ACF). The NGO will clean up and cordon off storage depots of expired pesticides which are seeping into the water table in Tin Essako and Anesfis. ACF will also seal contaminated wells. ECHO said that 9,400 litres of expired chemicals were stored at the two sites for use against locusts. However, guerrilla activity by nomads in the north between 1991 and 1995 prevented the application of the pesticides. A public health survey will also be carried out to determine the number of people contaminated by the chemicals, so that the victims could receive proper medical care. ECHO said that there were at least 85,000 litres of expired pesticides in all of northern Mali, especially in Gao and Aguelhoc. Lesser amounts exist in the southern regions but are better managed.