Residents of Kiteabo Nyenawiliken in Electoral District #3, River Gee County, have pleaded with government and humanitarian partners for urgent help.
Residents say, they have been forced to drink, cook, and bathe with water fetched from nearby creeks over the years.
The community of more than 400 inhabitants, according to the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, the lack of safe drinking water, a health facility, and passable roads have worsened humanitarian crisis.
Danish Refugee Council-DRC installed all five hand pumps in Kiteabo Nyenawiliken years ago.
Community members say, the pumps broke down due to lack of spare parts.
“One of our own was trained to repair them, but now, the spare parts are worn out and unavailable. We have no choice, but to drink from the creek and River Gbeh every day,” said Barley K. Manneh, a Community Health Assistant and elder.
Residents use the River Gbeh and nearby creeks for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing.
During the rainy season, leaders say, the situation gets worse as creeks become muddy and contaminated.
“Whenever heavy rain falls, the creeks become polluted. We are forced to walk long distances to the river or collect rainwater from rooftops,” said resident Betty Brown.
She is calling for the rehabilitation of existing pumps and construction of new water facilities to serve the growing population.
The water crisis has also affected education at Nyenawiliken Public School. Teacher Grace Nyenpan said, students leave classes to fetch water, “because the school pump has spoiled.”
“The school has no fence and sits very close to River Gbeh. Earlier this year, four children went to the river to drink when a huge tree fell nearby. By God’s grace, no one was hurt.,” Madam Nyenpan recounted.
“We are suffering and pleading with government and humanitarian organizations to come to our rescue.”
Beyond water, Kiteabo Nyenawiliken has no health facility. Residents must walk about one hour and 30 minutes to reach the nearest clinic in River Gbeh Town.
The community also cited bad roads linking Kiteabo Chiefdom to Glarro Administrative District.
They say, the poor road network isolates the area and prevents government and NGOs from delivering services.
“We are deprived of basic development. We have no good road, no safe drinking water, and no health facility. We are surviving only by the grace of Almighty God,” Madam Nyenpan added.
Kiteabo Nyenawiliken is located in Kiteabo Chiefdom, which includes more than five towns and villages. The area falls under the representation of Johnson S. N. Williams.
Community leaders have meanwhile, called for immediate intervention to rehabilitate the five damaged hand pumps, construct additional safe drinking water facilities, build a health center and rehabilitate roads connecting the chiefdom.
