New Course
Women and children of Kizerui wash laundry in the river
Water quality (and shortage, particularly in the dry season) is an issue that crucially affects people living in the East Usamabara region. Poor water quality and supply have been linked with the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, scabies, dysentery and trachoma. Women and children are disproportionally impacted by water borne diseases and importantly; these diseases are a major contributor of high infant mortality rates. Further, women are forced to either use polluted water or invest a large portion of their working day in collecting water. Stream water is often of poor quality having been polluted by upstream users with soap from washing clothes, utensils and people, mud, livestock excrement, and pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture from upstream farmers.
Women and children of Kizerui wash laundry in the river
Water quality (and shortage, particularly in the dry season) is an issue that crucially affects people living in the East Usamabara region. Poor water quality and supply have been linked with the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, scabies, dysentery and trachoma. Women and children are disproportionally impacted by water borne diseases and importantly; these diseases are a major contributor of high infant mortality rates. Further, women are forced to either use polluted water or invest a large portion of their working day in collecting water. Stream water is often of poor quality having been polluted by upstream users with soap from washing clothes, utensils and people, mud, livestock excrement, and pesticides and fertilizers from agriculture from upstream farmers.