By Abdullahi Tukur
Around 1,500 internally displaced households across four communities in Tangaza and Sokoto South Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have benefited from the distribution of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) dignity kits as part of efforts to improve access to essential hygiene supplies and safe water for vulnerable populations.
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The intervention was implemented by the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), with support from UNICEF, as part of the ongoing humanitarian WASH response for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities in the state.
The distribution covered Sabon Gari and Shiyar Hakimi communities in Tangaza, and Gagi and Tudun Wada communities in Sokoto South local government areas.
A total of 469 WASH dignity kits were distributed in Tangaza, while 1,031 kits were distributed in Sokoto South amounting to 1,500 households.
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The intervention also included the construction of four new water schemes across four IDP locations, providing improved access to safe water for more than 12,000 people.
Speaking on the intervention, the UNICEF Sokoto Chief of Field Office, Dr. Michael Juma, said access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is not a privilege but a fundamental right and a critical foundation for health, dignity and human resilience, particularly for children, women and families affected by displacement.
“Through this partnership with RUWASSA and with the generous support of SIDA, we are strengthening life-saving WASH services while helping communities move from emergency response towards more sustainable and resilient solutions”.
According to him, UNICEF remains committed to supporting the Government of Sokoto State to ensure that every child and every family, including those affected by displacement, has equitable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services.
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“The intervention forms part of efforts to strengthen WASH services for vulnerable populations, reduce exposure to hygiene-related risks, and improve access to safe water among displaced and host communities”. He added.
The response was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), through support to humanitarian WASH interventions in Sokoto State.