The
Maldives is an archipelago of hundreds of widely dispersed islands
which at their highest reach just two metres above sea level.
Despite the abundance of sea-water, which has made them famous
among divers, the Maldives has always faced a scarcity of fresh
water even during the best of times. The principal source of
drinking water has always been rainwater, collected in traditionally
built tanks. During the dry season, people use groundwater accessed
by bucket-drop wells.
The 2004 tsunami not only destroyed the housing, infrastructure
and livelihoods of approximately one third of the Maldivian
population, it also damaged these domestic wells and contaminated
groundwater resources. Today, groundwater smells and tastes
foul, and is unfit for drinking, cooking or washing. However,
as rainwater levels fall, groundwater use increases, posing
a significant public health hazard.
Gadhdhoo, one of the southern islands with a population of 1,400
dependent on fishing and agriculture, is a case in point. Although
the tsunami did not damage many houses, it destroyed the crops,
trees and plants upon which most islanders relied.
Furthermore, the saline levels in the groundwater increased
dramatically, contaminating household wells. So when the International
Federation, funded by the Australian Red Cross, installed a
supplementary water supply system incorporating a desalination
plant, it was an occasion for celebration.
“This supplementary water supply system will meet the
needs of the Gadhdhoo community and will ensure they have a
good quality source of drinking water for when there is insufficient
rain,” said Kathryn Clarkson, International Federation
Water and Sanitation Coordinator, at a ceremony to handover
the system.
Mohamed Shaheed, Gadhdhoo island chief, expressed his people’s
thanks for this lifesaving gift saying, “We are extremely
grateful to the International Federation and the Australian
Red Cross for donating such a water system, as water is such
an essential factor in our daily lives. This is a solution to
all our problems and will indeed be beneficial to the whole
community.”
To ensure a year-round supply of good water, the International
Federation has delivered almost 15,000 rainwater harvesting
tanks on 79 islands to allow householders to store more rainwater.
Out of the 349 tanks delivered to Gadhdhoo, it was encouraging
to see that some have already started using them. Abdul Hameed
Rushdy, 68, proudly showed off his watertanks including one
donated by the International Federation.
“The water is too contaminated on this part of the island
so I bought two tanks before I got another from the Red Cross.
I’ve got 17 children and I plan to buy another tank soon,
so I can provide good clean water to fulfill all the needs of
my large family.”
The supplementary water systems, which will eventually be installed
on 20 islands, are part of a programme implemented by the International
Federation to support the Maldivian government. As part of the
reconstruction phase after the tsunami, the government has committed
itself to an improved water supply system for long-term sustainable
use.
Sustainability is built into the International Federation programme.
Two operators will be trained to work and maintain the system
on each island. The island committee of Gadhdhoo has already
committed two operators for training so they can continue providing
clean water for their community. The committee is also looking
for ways to generate income to support the water system, such
as selling water to touristi boats, fishermen and resorts.
In the long term, these large-scale water projects will reach
beyond the communities directly affected by the tsunami, but
for now providing safe water for communities like Gadhdhoo remains
the priority. People like Abdul Hameed Rushdy will not have
to buy another large tank to stock up on water, but can go straight
to the taps night and day and get as much clean water as his
large family needs.
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Local
children pose for the camera in front of their island's
new water treatment plant. (p14084)
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Abdul
Hameed Rushdy and some of his 17 children with their new
Federation water tank. (p14085)
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Regional
water and sanitation coordinator Patrick D'aoust helps
a local boy fill a container. (p14086)
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A
view of the new plant house for the Gadhdhoo supplementary
water system in the Maldives. (p14087)
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Australian
Red Cross water and sanitation delegate Kathryn Clarkson
(right) with the New Zealand Red Cross water and sanitation
delegate Jane Edgar (left) and Mohammed Shaheed, Gadhdhoo
island chief, at a ceremony to mark the opening of the
islands new freshwater point. (p14088)
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