From Water Scarcity to Improved Well Being: Restoring Access to Safe Water in Baro Community
Mehoni, Tigray, Ethiopia
For communities affected by conflict, restoring essential services can make a significant difference in everyday life. In Baro Village, Mehoni, the rehabilitation of a damaged water point is helping families access water closer to home, reduce the burden of water collection, and improve household hygiene.
The conflict in Tigray severely affected essential public services, including water supply infrastructure. In Mehoni town, water supply coverage declined from approximately 75 percent before the conflict to around 35 percent following the conflict, according to the Mehoni Town Water Utility Office. A borehole and sections of the town’s pressure lines were damaged, while equipment and spare parts were also looted.
For families in Baro Village, these disruptions made access to water particularly difficult.
Two Kilometres for Water
Among those affected was Etenesh Hanis, a 37 year old mother of five and resident of Baro Village.
The water point serving her community was damaged during the conflict and remained non functional for two years. Without a functioning water point nearby, Etenesh had to walk approximately two kilometres to Mehoni town to collect water.
A 20 litre jerrycan cost her 15 birr, and she could generally afford to purchase only two jerrycans per day. This meant spending around 30 birr daily on water, primarily for drinking and cooking, while leaving little water available for household hygiene.
During the summer season, Etenesh and other community members sometimes relied on nearby ponds and rivers for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. These sources were also used by livestock, increasing concerns about water contamination.
“As there was no water nearby, I travelled to Mehoni on foot every day to fetch water. I paid 15 birr for a 20 litre jerrycan. Economically, this was very challenging for me, so I could buy only two jerrycans a day for 30 birr, mainly for drinking and cooking. There was no water for hygiene. I spent hours fetching water and became very tired from carrying the jerrycan on my back.”
Restoring Water Closer to Home
Following an assessment and discussions with the Mehoni Town Water Utility Office, MCMDO, through its Mehoni Field Office and with support from the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF), rehabilitated the water point in Baro Village, located approximately two kilometres from Mehoni town.
The intervention included approximately 600 metres of pipeline extension from the main pressure line, as well as rehabilitation and maintenance of the water point’s masonry structure, faucets, drainage ditch, fence, and water meter chamber.
The restored water point has brought water closer to the community and reduced the time and physical effort required to collect it.
For Etenesh, the change has been significant.
“Currently, we have water in our community. I have time to wash the family’s clothes and eating utensils, and our hygiene has improved.”
She now collects approximately four to five jerrycans of water per day from the nearby water point. The time, energy, and money previously spent travelling to Mehoni to collect water have been greatly reduced.
For her, restoring the water point has meant more than improved access to water. It has created more time for household activities, reduced the physical burden of water collection, and supported improved hygiene and well being.
Reaching Hundreds of Households
The benefits extend beyond one family.
The rehabilitated water point currently serves approximately 347 households in Baro Village, providing the community with improved access to water through a restored water supply system.
The intervention has also supported the continued operation of the local water supply service. The water point generates approximately 17,420 birr per month in revenue for the Mehoni Town Water Utility Office, with 60 percent allocated as the utility office’s share.
A Water Point Restored, A Daily Burden Reduced
The rehabilitation of the Baro Village water point demonstrates how restoring essential WASH infrastructure can contribute to meaningful improvements in people’s daily lives.
For Etenesh and hundreds of other households, water is now available closer to home. The hours spent walking for water have been reduced, household hygiene has improved, and families have greater access to an essential service that supports health, dignity, and well being.
“I am grateful that water has been brought closer to our community.”
Through the support of the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF), MCMDO continues to work with communities affected by humanitarian needs to restore access to essential services and strengthen the conditions needed for healthier and more dignified lives.
