Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - According to the UN-Kyoto report 2003 some 2.5 billion people in the world have no access to clean water. Every year at least 2 million die of diseases caused by bacteriological pollution. Lack of access to clean water is the main cause of infant mortality in developing countries.
Water is fundamental for survival and development of a community. Mozambique has plentiful water resources but rural communities, 90% of the population, have no access to water .
Amici di Raoul Follereau an Italian association began social and healthcare programmes in Mozambique in 1981, it launched four more programmes 1990 in Nampula province in the north and has financed a national anti-leprosy and TB campaign programme since 1997 providing basic health services in collaboration with local NGOs, and religious associations and communities in programmes of medical, agricultural and feeding assistance in rural areas. Clean water is a fundamental priority in healthcare programmes.
Until 2004 only 6.6% of the population had access to clean water, 84% had no latrines and more than 50% had to walk as far as 20km to reach the nearest source of water. In addition to these precarious living condition in 2003 Nampula province was heavily hit by an outbreak of cholera as a result of torrential rains in the passing of cyclone Delfina.
AIFO and plastic manufacturer Telcom S.p.A., embarked on a joint healthcare, social assistance programme Project Aquarius - Water for Life. With local partner Kulima AIFO dug wells and equipped them with manual pumps, repaired water sources to guarantee clean water for people in some districts of the province with a positive impact for about 30,000 people. This activity avails of contacts and logistic strategies realised for previous programmes of health education in the districts in question run by local committees, and a process of healthcare formation and awareness building among the affected people. Priorities in recent years in Mozambique’s national development plans include promotion of local community development, improvement of rural roads, guaranteed water supplies for schools and social services, rural extension and food security programmes; leprosy is still a serious problem for public health in this area. (AP) (20/3/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:41; Parole:517)
