Mali: Clean water unites displaced communities
By Ibrahima Koné
"A few months ago, the river was our main source of water,” said Fadimata, a resident of Gao City, which is nestled along the banks of the Niger River in Mali. “But there were many cases of illness due to people using contaminated water."
Standing beside a newly installed solar-powered water station, Fadimata added: "Now, with these water taps, we’ve seen a notable reduction in the number of people falling sick."
Gao City was historically a vibrant trading and cultural hub in the Sahel region. But in recent years, the city of around 200,000 people has become a sanctuary for thousands of people seeking safety from conflict and insecurity.
Demand for essential services, particularly access to clean water, has strained the city’s resources.
With support from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund and UNICEF's technical expertise, a manually operated water pump was upgraded to a solar-powered system, making clean water accessible to more than 2,000 people daily through water distribution points.
Beyond health
"This is our affordable mineral water," said Agaichatou, a displaced woman benefiting from the new water station. "People from neighbouring areas come here for water.”
A local management committee maintains and sustains the system. A 20-litre jerry can of water is 10 Francs CFA (about US$0.02), while a bucket is only 5 FCFA — remarkably affordable compared to bottled water. The funds are reinvested in the facility, covering essential repairs and staff salaries.
Beyond its health benefits, the project has eased tensions in the community and lightened the workload, especially for women. Before the upgrade, women endured physical strain from operating manual pumps and long searches for clean water.
"We used to argue while waiting in line for water, but now the time spent searching for it has drastically reduced," said Agaichatou.
The solar-powered project is more than just a source of drinking water; it is contributing to the community’s resilience, health and unity. As Gao continues to grow and demand for resources rises, projects like this are essential.
As of September 2024, the Displacement Monitoring Matrix reported 378,363 internally displaced people in Mali, 83 per cent of whom are women and children. Armed conflict, violence and intercommunity tensions account for more than 90 per cent of these displacements, with at least 54,021 people residing in the Gao region alone. The numbers highlight the urgent need for sustainable solutions to support communities.
