Distribution of water equipment aims to combat disease

Vital water purifying equipment is being distributed in Ethiopia’s drought-stricken areas to combat the growing threat of water-borne diseases, the United Nations said on Monday. The water supplies will be targeted at women and children in eight hard-hit areas around the country, according to the UN’s Children’s Fund (UNICEF). “This contribution is particularly significant as safe water is vital to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases,” said UNICEF head Bjorn Ljungqvist. UNICEF estimates some 4.2 million people are in urgent need of clean, safe water. It also warns that the end of the rainy season in Ethiopia means unsafe water runs into rivers and contaminates the sources people are now tempted to use. “Consumption of such unsafe water can lead to an increase in water-borne diseases and epidemics,” Ljungqvist added. Among the equipment distributed are five water purification kits and some 1,620 emergency drinking water kits which can purify water for household use. The US $775,000 deal is being funded by the Norwegian government and will be supplied to Somali region, Oromiya, Amhara, Gambella, Tigray, Harar, Afar and the Southern Nations and Nationalities People’s Region.