15 July 2015 - Easing their vital water needs, UNMISS today handed over a mini water-yard facility to residents of Gormoyok Village in Juba, Central Equatoria State.

Speaking during the hand-over ceremony, UNMISS Central Equatoria State Coordinator John Ugolo said the solar-powered facility was implemented using funding from the mission’s Quick Impact Projects.

“We have been looking at what is best for the people of Gormoyok Village,” said Mr. Ugolo. “We came to realize that moyo (water) (was what they urgently needed).”

The project was implemented by Islamic Relief Worldwide, Water Sanitation and Hygiene South Sudan Program and sub-contracted to Relief Line South Sudan.

Karlhik Sathyanarayana, Country Director and Project Contractor of Relief Line Africa, said the facility comprised a submersible water pump and elevated water tank fitted with solar panels to help pump and regulate the water level. Water was then transmitted through undergrounds pipes into taps ready for distribution.

With a full capacity of 5,000 litres, the water tank would pump from 18,000 to 200,000 liters of water daily, Mr. Sathyanarayana added.

Mr. Ugolo urged residents to keep the water facility well maintained so it would serve the community for generations to come.

Joyce Peter, a worker at Gormoyok cemetery, said mourners became very thirsty with no water points in the area. Noting that the new facility was clean, she said it would help relieve the suffering of mourners at the cemetery.

Agnes Alia, a 40 year-old resident of the village, said she had never expected to see a water facility installed in the area. She said that having no water points had been particularly difficult for women.

“We as women faced with a lot of problems. When we went out in search of water, we risked getting raped,” Ms. Alia said. “Today, we have stopped chasing after water-tankers.”

Deputy Chairman of Gormoyok Village John Lasu Simon said the village of 305 households would soon witness a return of many others who had left the area due to lack of water.

Mr. Simon noted that sustaining the project would depend on good use by residents and urged implementing partners to train community youth to care for it.

The project, which began in May and was completed in June, is one of more than five water projects the mission has handed over to local communities in Central Equatoria State since 2013, including more recent ones carried out in Terekeka County.