For families in May Edaga village, Zana woreda, Tigray region, access to water had become a daily struggle. When the village’s protected water scheme stopped functioning in April 2025, community members had little choice but to turn to the nearby river and other unprotected sources. Finding enough water for the household meant spending valuable time searching, walking, and carrying water home, while the use of unprotected sources also exposed families to health risks.

Before rehabilitation: The nonfunctional water scheme in May Edaga village.
Before rehabilitation: May Edaga community members collecting water from an unprotected spring after the village water scheme became nonfunctional.

Among those who experienced this challenge was Rishan Gebremichael, a mother and community member in May Edaga, Zana Woreda.

“We had a serious water problem. We used to spend a lot of time and effort searching for and collecting water.”

– Rishan

For Rishan and many other families, the difficulty went beyond finding enough water for daily needs. The time and physical effort required to collect water placed an additional burden on women and children and left families with less time for household responsibilities, caring for children, and rest.

Restoring a Vital Water Source

A change began when MCMDO, with support from the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF), worked together with the community and relevant government offices to rehabilitate the water supply system in May Edaga village. The intervention helped restore access to a safer and more reliable source of water for the community.

Today, the water point is functioning again, bringing meaningful relief to families who had previously depended on unprotected sources.

“Now, we are very happy because we have better access to water. This improvement has made our daily life much easier, and we are grateful for the support provided to our community.”

– Rishan

BEFORE: Rishan collecting water from an unprotected river before the water point was rehabilitated.
AFTER: After MCMDO repaired the water point, Rishan can now access and use safe, clean water.

The restored water supply is now benefiting more than 400 households in May Edaga village. For these families, the impact is not measured only by the restoration of a water point, but by the time and effort that can now be saved each day. Women and children face a reduced burden in collecting water, while families have more time for preparing food, caring for children, attending to household responsibilities, and other activities that contribute to their wellbeing.

From the River Back to a Safe Water Point

Before the rehabilitation, community members were forced to collect water from the May Edaga River because their water point was no longer functioning. The return of the rehabilitated water system has changed this daily reality, allowing families to access water closer to home and with greater confidence in its safety.

For Rishan and her neighbours, the restored water point represents more than repaired infrastructure. It represents greater dignity, reduced daily pressure, and the reassurance that an essential need can once again be met closer to home.

A Community Effort

The change in May Edaga also demonstrates the importance of collaboration between communities, government offices, humanitarian partners, and implementing organizations. Robel, Coordinator of the Zana Town Water Office, highlighted the contribution of the rehabilitation to improving water access for the community.

“The intervention has made a significant contribution to improving access to water for the community. The rehabilitation of the water supply infrastructure has helped address some of the challenges that the community was facing.”

– Robel

Robel also emphasized the importance of proper operation, maintenance, and community ownership to ensure that the water system continues to serve families in the future. Sustaining the progress therefore depends not only on restoring infrastructure, but also on ensuring that the community and responsible local structures have the capacity and commitment to protect and maintain the service.

The rehabilitation has strengthened cooperation between the community, government offices, MCMDO, and partners, demonstrating how coordinated support can help restore essential services and create meaningful improvements in people’s everyday lives.

Left: Robel, Town Water Coordinator. Right: Dawit Haile, MCMDO Emergency WASH Officer, observing the improved water supply system following its rehabilitation.

When Water Flows, Life Becomes Easier

A rehabilitated water point may appear to be a simple piece of infrastructure, but for the families of May Edaga, it represents something much more. It means less time and effort spent searching for water, a reduced burden on women and children, and greater opportunity for families to focus on caring for one another and meeting their everyday needs.

For Rishan, the change is best expressed through her experience:

“We are very happy because we have better access to water. This improvement has made our daily life much easier.”

– Rishan

With continued community ownership, proper maintenance, and sustained support, the hope is that the rehabilitated water system will continue serving families in May Edaga for years to come. What has been restored is not simply a water supply, but an essential part of daily life that helps families live with greater dignity, safety, and peace of mind.

In May Edaga, water is flowing again, bringing with it a renewed sense of hope and making everyday life a little easier for hundreds of families.

Community members in May Edaga, Zana Woreda, Tigray Region, collect water from the rehabilitated water point following its rehabilitation.

MCMDO | WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) | Water for healthier, safer and more resilient communities.