In May, 2010, due to an extremely hot weather, and a late monsoon, there were water shortages in places all over Myanmar. Not just in remote places, like the Shan States, but it also happened in Dala Township, just across the river from Yangon. So many donation groups went to visit those nearby villages and donated water. All photos in this post were taken during a water donation trip in May, 2010.
-+-+-+-Did you know that "access to clean water" is also included in human rights?
Clean water being donated. They would be using this water for cooking and cleaning.
Rain Water Collector built in collaboration by AMI and ECHOIn places like Dala Township, tube wells cannot be dug in some neighbourhoods due to the underground water being salty. Therefore, some INGOs have built these rain water collection underground tanks, as a part of their
project. Water User Groups (WUGs) were set up within a neighbourhood, and they all took care of the maintenance of the water tank, water pumps and etc.
Unfortunately, when I went there in May 2010, all the water in the tank has been drained since months ago, and the neighbourhood was in dire need of water.
Housewives lined up the water containers near the water donating car, and went back home to do housework.
Then the water is carried off to the respective homes.
Water bottles were also donated to every household.
Residents Taking a Bath in a pond at Hlaing Thar Yar TownshipWhile many of other people around the world takes clean water for granted, there are millions of people around the world who are facing a shortage of clean water.
According to UN, an estimated 884 million people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water and a total of more than 2.6 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation.
So before you go and soak yourself up in a hot tub of water, or washing your car, think about this.
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Comments (4)
So is the Myanmar government allowing agencies to come in to help people (including the Karan) to get clean water and food?
@Ezekiel36_33to36 - there has been a few NGOs within the country, who's been doing water sanitation projects, such as ECHO, and AMI. But I'm not sure if MM government accepts new NGOs to come in.
Just found this UN petition for requesting clean water...
Sign Petition: Support the UN's Efforts to Bring Clean, Safe Water to Millions http://chn.ge/9Iua2h
(it's put out by Change.org - the link is a mini url)
Great pictures and story. I hope the government would be able to do something about this problem. This is also a big problem here in my country and many people are also suffering and lack water supply.
It is great to know that there are NGOs helping out in providing water filtration systems to produce clean water in places where it is scarce.