EAC says access to safe water still challenging, remedy needed
The East African Community has said access to safe and clean water remains a challenge in the East African region and the Horn of Africa.
This came after the community marked World Water Day on Tuesday in Arusha, Tanzania, where the United Nations recognised the robust role water plays for individuals, households, communities, governments, and businesses across the globe.
“Access to safe drinking water, a precious resource is often taken for granted, is a human right. However, access to clean, affordable water remains a real challenge for many people in the East and Horn of Africa, with vulnerable groups being disproportionately affected, “the statement released on Wednesday indicated.”
The statement noted that water played a pivotal role in maintaining the health of the people, thereby preventing the spread of various diseases.
“The region has experienced frequent disease outbreaks in the past, such as cholera, measles, rift valley fever, yellow fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and COVID-19, among others. Extensive land-borders and intense trade and travel facilitate the spread of infectious diseases across countries in the EAC region, “the statement continued.
The EAC Deputy Secretary-General for Productive and Social Sectors, Christophe Bazivamo, stated that safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices limit the spread of waterborne diseases and communicable diseases when applied consistently.
“Good water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, that are consistently applied, can help to curb the spread of waterborne and other communicable diseases. This is especially important in areas that experience high levels of human mobility, particularly at border crossings and transportation corridors where local communities have a higher risk of infection, “Bazivamo said.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) ensures equitable access to safe water and the provision of affordable water in partnership with the EAC, and disseminates information about sanitation and the promotion of good hygiene in EAC Partner States.
“We are happy with the progress of this project, and we hope that the handwashing water facilities and related structures will be handed over to the respective partner state governments very soon,” said Bazivamo.
Warning against diseases
Early this month, the EAC Secretariat warned partner states against infectious diseases ahead of the rainy season.
The EAC Deputy Secretary-General for Productive and Social Sectors, Christophe Bazivamo, said heavy rainfall and high temperatures had resulted in an increased number of mosquitoes that spread most of the diseases.
“The heavy rainfall and high temperatures have resulted in high numbers of mosquitoes which transmit vector-borne diseases,” says EAC Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors, Hon. Christophe Bazivamo.
The Deputy Secretary-General asked partner states to report any outbreak of vector-borne diseases to the World Health Organization (WHO), warning against Rift Valley Fever which advances from animals to human beings when it is not properly controlled.
Cases detected
The ministry of health of the Republic of Kenya, on March 5, 2022, said it had stepped up health emergency response mechanisms after three people died at Isiolo County, Eastern Kenya, of Yellow Fever.
On January 12, 2022, the first fifteen instances were recorded while patients were diagnosed with headaches, fevers, jaundice, muscle and joint pains. According to experts, yellow fever is highly infectious when one is not vaccinated, especially when they live in a place with high mosquito density.
The community advised that handwashing, wearing of gloves and other protective gear should be adopted while handling sick animals, tissues or slaughtering animals. It further advised that consumption of blood, raw meat or animal tissue and other meat products should be stopped.
