Türkiye Diyanet Foundation provides clean water to thousands in South Sudan

(Photo Credit: Anadolu Ajansı)

Thousands of vulnerable people in South Sudan are set to benefit from improved access to clean and safe drinking water after the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation constructed a solar-powered borehole in Kwerjik,

The newly completed water system on the outskirts of the national capital, Juba, is equipped with an automatic pumping system and two water tanks, with a combined capacity to supply approximately 4,000 litres (1057 gallons) of water daily to residents who have long faced limited access to safe drinking water.

For years, residents of Kwerjik have relied on a nearby stream as their main source of water. During the dry season, however, declining water levels often leave the stream dirty and unsafe for consumption, exposing residents to health risks associated with contaminated water.

The new solar-powered system is expected to provide the community with a more reliable source of clean water. while helping to reduce dependence on unsafe water sources and the risk of waterborne diseases.

Osman Turk, the African representative for the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation, affirmed the commitment of the Turkish government and people to support their "brothers and sisters" in South Sudan.

"We are happy and excited to be here in Kwerjik. We come from Turkiye as sisters and brothers to provide a gift in the form of a borehole. Water is essential for survival, and we are determined to support our sisters and brothers," Turk said at a ceremony to open the water point.

"We hope the bilateral relations between our two sisterly countries and peoples will grow strong. We intend to undertake another project. Water is very important for everybody, and this facility must be protected from damage."

Mary Sebila, a 31-year-old mother of three, described to Anadolu the community's long-standing dependence on the stream.

"The building of this water pump is so helpful. We used to fetch water from the stream, and that water is dirty, especially when the water level drops during the dry season," she said. "We appreciate the support provided by partners; getting clean drinking water is becoming difficult without this support. We have many people here who need water; we cannot even estimate the number."

Machar Butic, the community chief of Kwerjik area, expressed gratitude to the South Sudanese and Turkish governments for providing clean drinking water to thousands in the area.

"We have received a water point. We had a water pump before, but it broke down, and people returned to square one. We have thousands of people staying here, and we need enough clean drinking water," he told Anadolu. "We appreciate the work done through the bilateral relationship between South Sudan and Turkiye. We appreciate Turkiye for providing Kwerjik with clean drinking water, and we want services to be provided so that we are comfortable."

Butic highlighted the need for more aid agencies to assist Kwerjik, Natoro and Nus with water, especially given the distances involved and the prevalence of waterborne diseases.

Albino Mayom Awer, the youth representative in Kwerjik, emphasized the critical importance of support from the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation at the ceremony.

"We thank the Turkiye Diyanet Foundation for the support given to the citizens of South Sudan. We are happy for this support and for the presidents of South Sudan and Turkiye working to solve the water problem in Kwerjik."

Suzan Karaba, the women's representative in Kwerjik, reiterated to Anadolu the challenges of water scarcity, noting that people often fetched water from unsafe shallow streams.

"We have been in trouble for having inadequate water for drinking. We want more support. This area needs enough water. You have seen school children have no water; they travel long distances to get water, and that requires more supply," she said.

Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/turkiye-diyanet-foundation-provides-clean-water-to-thousands-in-south-sudan/4068330