IsraAID rehabilitates over 100 boreholes in Malawi
IsraAID, Israel’s leading humanitarian NGO, has completed the rehabilitation of over 100 damaged boreholes in Malawi. Working in partnership with Malawi’s government, the organization restored access to safe water for over 113,000 residents of Phalombe and Mulanje regions in the country’s southeast, reducing the spread of waterborne illnesses in rural areas as the country continues to face its deadliest-ever cholera outbreak.
IsraAID began working in Malawi in March 2023 following Tropical Cyclone Freddy, which arrived as the country was over one year into its deadliest-ever cholera outbreak. As a result of the cyclone, over 1,200 people died, with hundreds more injured, and hundreds of thousands displaced. IsraAID began working in the city of Blantyre, in the heart of the affected region, as well as the two hardest-hit provinces of Mulanje and Phalombe, focusing on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene needs, cholera prevention, and nutrition.
IsraAID’s team of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene experts repaired 101 boreholes across Mulanje and Phalombe regions in 2023. IsraAID also trained local water use committees in the maintenance of the boreholes, ensuring community ownership and proper functioning of the boreholes for years to come. IsraAID was able to reach 13 unique villages and has repaired more boreholes in the country than any other international NGO in the country’s history. In 2024, IsraAID has identified another 50 boreholes for rehabilitation, expanding access to safe water to even more people.
In addition, IsraAID’s cholera prevention program screened over 6,000 people for cholera in five locations. The organization established Oral Rehydration Points where community members could be screened for symptoms of cholera, receive safe drinking water and oral rehydration salts to prevent symptoms from progressing, and receive further information on cholera prevention and hygiene. IsraAID health workers were able to identify cholera cases requiring more intensive treatment and refer them to hospitals.
In June of 2023, IsraAID began implementing nutrition screenings for children at its oral rehydration points. By integrating the nutrition program into the cholera prevention program, the organization was able to reach communities that are normally inaccessible. Over 8,000 children between the ages of six months and five years were screened for malnutrition, and severe cases were referred to the hospital for further treatment.
IsraAID’s Country Director for Malawi, Annet Apio, said:
“IsraAID is so proud to work in partnership with communities and officials in Malawi to ensure access to safe drinking water for so many people. We repaired over 100 boreholes last year, and are committed to repairing another 50 this year, all while ensuring community ownership and management of water sources. Safe water is so important to a community’s resilience and has enormous implications for public health.
As the country contends with a deadly cholera outbreak, we are acutely aware that access to safe water can prevent outbreaks from spreading and needless loss of life. Through our oral rehydration points and borehole repair project, we are working to address not only the immediate needs, but we work hand-in-hand with communities to create a sustainable future, together.”
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Further information is available on request, including interviews with IsraAID Country Director Annet Apio and other individuals involved in this operation.
CONTACT:
Shachar May
Email: [email protected]
Notes:
IsraAID is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization, based in Israel. Since 2001, IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises and a long-term commitment to working with affected communities. During and after emergencies, IsraAID partners with communities to re-build their lives – and their futures – together. As of February 2024, IsraAID has responded to more than 100 emergencies, in more than 60 countries.
