Mali Wateraid

LOCATION

Mali, officially the Republic of Mali is a land-locked country in West Africa.
It is located in the Sahel region and has dry, arid weather conditions.
Its size is just 480,000 sq miles with a population of 14.5 million.
Its capital is Bamako and borders Algeria and Niger.

Northern Part is part of Sahara Desert. Southern Part is greener and more populated. Natural Environment is harsh and deteriorating.

Water aid has been operating in Mali since 2000.

WHY IS THIS AID NEEDED

Rainfall is low in the country and decreasing every year.

Due to low amount of rainfall it is very desert like.

Mali is one of the poorest nations in the world so can’t afford the appropriate technology to access clean water.

65% of the country is desert or semi-desert

50% of the population do not have access to a sustainable water supply

The country's water industry dos not supply services to the poorest areas

WHAT IS WATERAID DOING IN MALI

It is providing clean water and sanitation services to the poorest people in the slums of the countries capital, Bamako.
It aims to demonstrate to the countries government that it can provide water to everyone.
It has constructed a water network.

They are training local people to manage and maintain the system and raise money needed to keep it in operation.

They encourage the community to invest in its own infrastructure.

They teach women how to make soap resulting in hygiene knowledge on the use of soap and a business selling soap.

ADVANTAGES AND HOW IT HAS HELPED

Significant improvements in the health of the community
Reduced number of deaths caused by diarrhoeal diseases by 65%.
Reduced number of child deaths. A child dies every 17 seconds for diseases associated with unsafe water.
Life in times of drought is made easier
Communities are able to plan and build infrastructure

The combination of safe water, sanitation and hygiene education maximises health benefits and promotes development. The combined benefits of these can reduce the number of deaths caused by diarrhoeal diseases by an average of 65%. A child dies every 17 seconds from diseases associated with lack of access to safe water and adequate sanitation. In the longer term, communities are able to plan and build infrastructures which enable them to cope better in times of hardship

HOW IS IT SUSTAINABLE

It is training local people to manage and maintain the system. This encourages the community to invest in its own infrastructure and to continue their won development in future.

Sustainability is about ensuring that water and sanitation services continue to work over time. It's about developing the skills of communities, governments and local service providers to manage finance and maintain services. And it's also about creating permanent changes in hygiene practices through hygiene promotion programmes. First, sustainability means selecting the right technology for the local situation.