ACORN Initiative intends to address the urgent need of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) facilities for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue State, Nigeria. The IDPs travel over 10 KM to fetch water from the nearest river, which causes them water-related diseases and child mortality. Open Defecation (OD) is common practice due to dilapidated toilets, putting females at risk of rape. The project aims to provide relief by building a borehole for water supply and toilet facilities.
1. WATER SHORTAGE: Lack of long term access to clean safe water to cater to 650 families. Poor sanitation and hygiene practices. 2. OPEN DEFECATION: Dilapidated and inadequate toilets and washrooms for males and females. Open Defecation practices leading to rape and abuse. 3. HIGH INFANT MORTALITY: Incidences of cholera, typhoid, malaria, and diarrhoea. Infant mortality due to water-related diseases. 4.KNOWLEDGE: Low awareness of water-related diseases. Low hygiene practices.
ACORN Initiative will execute a relief project to provide:- Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities including: An automated borehole with 6 tap stands and 14 toilets with separated facilities for male, female and accessible facilities. Education and Awareness: Execution of sanitation and hygiene campaigns. Increase awareness of available facilities and encourage the use. Training WASHCom executives for the sustainability of WASH facilities.
The WASH facilities will alleviate the deplorable health conditions of the camp dwellers, mostly women, and children. Through the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programs, Open defecation in the entire community will be eradicated. The sustainable supply of clean water will be used by the campers to manage and expand their small-scale businesses such as farming, cooking, soap making, and much more.
