Communities address longstanding water scarcity in Rakhine, Myanmar

Located on the southern outskirts of conflict-affected Maungdaw in Rakhine State, Myanmar, Du Nyaung Pyin Gyi village is home to a population of 621 Rohingya residents, including 22 people living with disabilities. The village grappled with a pressing issue: the absence of safe drinking water sources. The existing communal borehole and underground water sources failed to meet the minimum standards necessary for a reliable water supply. Compounding this challenge, the existing water ponds, left unprotected without fences or ladders, were contaminated by saline water due to storm surge triggered by cyclone Mocha, which swept through western Myanmar in May 2023, posing a severe threat to the villagers’ health and well-being. Furthermore, the absence of healthcare services in the area exacerbated the challenges faced by the community.

The villagers of Du Nyaung Pyin Gyi, primarily farmers, fisherfolks, and daily laborers, faced the arduous task of trekking 400 to 600 meters to fetch water from neighbouring villages. The situation worsened as water-related diseases became a prevalent issue, affecting men, women, children, and the elderly. Some households resorted to buying water containers to store clean water for drinking and household use because their access to safe, clean running water became more unreliable. With the perennial water shortages, sanitation and environmental hygiene also became very challenging for most households already struggling to meet their basic needs.

In 2023, recognizing the urgent need for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, Community and Family Services International (CFSI), with the support of UNICEF, intervened with an emergency response to assist the villagers of Du Nyaung Pyin Gyi. Through this partnership, UNICEF provided essential resources and technical expertise to support the community-based approach led by CFSI. CFSI organized meetings with the villagers to assess their most pressing WASH needs and collaboratively develop the most suitable interventions. As part of this approach, three representatives from Du Nyaung Pyin Gyi were selected and trained in water, sanitation, and hygiene awareness, latrine construction, and identifying water points in need of repair, ensuring sustainable and community-led solutions.

These trained representatives now play an important role in maintaining a collaborative partnership with CFSI and leading community engagement sessions on emerging WASH challenges as well as positive practices to ensure sustainability of the interventions.

CFSI/2024 Villagers receive safe drinking water in Du Nyaung Pyin Gyi village, Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State

CFSI distributed 1,200 liters of safe drinking water, ensuring constant access to clean and safe water for families. Dewatering of ponds contaminated with saline water was undertaken by CFSI, alongside hygiene awareness campaigns and messaging on safe practices to improve sanitation and mitigate the risk of disease outbreak and spread.

“After Cyclone Mocha hit, accessing clean drinking water became a real struggle for us. We just use whatever water is available, and unfortunately, some of my children even got sick from that,” said Ma Khin Mar, a housewife in the village.

The highlight of these initiatives was the renovation of a water pond in the village to establish a sustainable and protected water source. CFSI led by supplying materials for installing essential protective elements, including fences, ladders, and handrails. To ensure the sustainability and expertise of the renovation, a skilled worker—a mason—was hired. However, the success of this project would not have been possible without community leadership and effort. Villagers actively engaged in cleaning the pond area, clearing bushes, digging, and providing in-kind contributions such as labor costs, green bamboo, and provisions for workers and volunteers.

“I’m so glad the days of trekking several miles for clean water are now over. The pond is just a few minutes of easy walk from my home. Now, my family can use water without worries,” said ma Khin Mar, with relief.

U Kyaw Win, a proud community member, said, “The entire village came together to make this happen. The benefits are not just for one family; it’s for the entire community, and I could really feel the community’s spirit.”

Eman Huson, the community leader, expressed the sentiments of the community: “Water is now free, safe, and accessible for everyone in the community, thanks to CFSI.”

Tun Tun Ko, the Village Administrator, echoed this sentiment: “I’m really grateful for everything CFSI has done for our community, from giving us hygiene kits to basic necessities like carbolic soap, water filters, and buckets. Now that we have water just a short walk away, we can focus on earning for our families without worrying about water-borne diseases and the expenses that come with it.”

The UNICEF-CFSI-WASHiE Project has not just tackled the water scarcity problem in Du Nyaung Pyin Gyi; it has also served as a source of inspiration, empowering the community and promoting improved health and well-being.

Cyclone Mocha inflicted considerable disruption upon the lives and livelihoods of over 80 percent of farming households in Rakhine State, particularly impacting the impoverished western region. In response, the UNICEF-CFSI-WASHiE Project is committed to delivering vital WASH services to the hardest-hit areas of Rakhine State, tackling water scarcity issues that deeply affect the livelihoods of these communities.