Installation of 20 Water Disinfection Systems and two Water Treatment Units brings safe water to families in flood-affected areas in Eastern Libya [EN/AR] – Libya

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*Clean and safe water help combat Water-borne diseases in flood-affected communities*

13 June 2024

In response to the severe water contamination and health risks caused by recent floods in the East of Libya, UNICEF, in collaboration with the with the General Company for Water and Wastewater (GCWW), has installed 20 water disinfection systems and two water treatment units to ensure the provision of clean and safe drinking water to floods-affected communities.

The floods in the East have significantly exacerbated water contamination issues from leaking or damaged sanitation networks, leading to an outbreak of diarrhea cases in the flood-affected areas and posing serious health risks to the local population.

Recognizing the urgent need for clean water, UNICEF prioritized the installation of 20 water disinfection systems on municipal boreholes as part of its broader emergency response efforts, across key locations in Derna, Bayda, and Shahat. These systems are designed to purify water by eliminating harmful pathogens and biological contaminants. This initiative is expected to provide access to safe drinking clean water to approximately 65,000 people including more than 19,000 children in Bayda, Shahat, Sousse, Derna, and Quba significantly reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.

Additionally, UNICEF has installed two water treatment plants in the towns of Al Mkhili and El Ezzeiat south of Derna city. Each unit has the capacity to produce 30,000 litres of drinking water per hour, ensuring a continuous supply of safe water for residents and for water trucking operations to surrounding areas, ensuring that 30,000 people have reliable access to safe drinking water.

Quotes:

1. “In the aftermath of Daniel Storm, GCWWC Jointly with UNICEF responded to the water, hygiene and sanitation needs at the time but also implemented a longer-term initiative which helped our people in the storm affected areas to have access to safe drinking water. A heartfelt thank you to UNICEF and Japan for their unwavering support. Their tireless efforts have earned them the profound gratitude of everyone in our region. As a result, over 80,000 people now have access to clean and safe water” said Mohamed Abdoon, Water Department Manager at GCWW in the East.
2. “These water disinfection systems are a critical component of our emergency response, helping to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases and improving public health outcomes. Ensuring access to safe drinking water is fundamental to the recovery and resilience of these communities.” Said Marie-Consolee Mukangendo, UNICEF Deputy Representative.

The installation of these water systems has been made possible through the generous support of the Government of Japan, to UNICEF Libya for flood relief efforts in eastern Libya. This funding is also being used to provide sanitation facilities, hygiene kits, and child protection assistance to the most vulnerable children and families in the region.

References:

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• [MCM2] – Can the quotes be integrated along the text? It would read better.

Source: reliefweb.int