In Sierra Leone today there is lack of organized Water system in most rural areas. The country is challenged with low access to water and sanitation (WASH) services with 23%  of the population having no access to basic water services and approximately 58% of the population uses undeveloped water sources like rivers, dams and unprotected water wells in their daily lives.

Groundwater is the main source of  water in the rural communities and though there are water wells in some of these communities, the adverse effect of climate change has dried up most wells with some only being functional during the 6 months of the rainy season in the country.

To address these challenges, MSF drilled boreholes, equip with a hand pump system, in seven communities in Tonkolili district to improve water and hygiene practices. These boreholes were built next to the peripheral health units (PHUs) of these communities and are meant to serve as a reliable source of safe water throughout the seasons.

Aminata Bangura using a hand pump to fetch water from a borehole drilled by MSF, with her child strapped to her back in Masiperr village, Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. 21/5/2024 Copyright: MSF.

In Sierra Leone, most people rely on undeveloped water sources like rivers, dams, and unprotected water wells in their daily lives due to the lack of access to safe drinking water in rural communities.

MSF drilled these  boreholes in Tonkolili district, completed with hand pumps, next to the Peripheral Health Units of Masengbeh, Foindu,Petifu Fulamasa, Makondu, MakeniRokefullah, Masiperr villages and the Ester’s clinic in Mile 91 township. These communities previously had little access to safe drinking water which contributed to waterborne disease cases in the past.

“We used to get our water from the swamp in our farm or the Pampana river which is a few minutes away from our village,” says Aminata in Masiperr village “We know the water is dirty, it is brown, but we don’t have another option. We have to drink, cook and bathe”.

Aminata Bangura carrying a 20-liter jerry can filled with water on her head and walking to her house with her child strapped to her back in Masiperr village, Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. 21/5/2024 Copyright: MSF.

Residents are greatly affected by the lack of water and boreholes.

The Pampana river that flows by Masiperr village in Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. This river was used as a source of water to do daily activities by the people living in the community. 21/5/2024 Copyright:MSF

To promote community health and easily accessible water supply, boreholes are drilled by MSF in communal land so that the community can benefit from it.

Aminata washing black-eyed peas with water fetched from a borehole drilled by MSF in Masiperr village, Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. 21/5/2024 Copyright:MSF

Buckets filled with water standing next to a borehole completed with a hand pump, drilled by MSF, in Masiperr village, Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone. 21/5/2024 Copyright: MSF

Over the years MSF team has shown unwavering commitment in providing medical and humanitarian assistance for people in Tonkolili, Bombali and Kenema District.