LocationsEnsuring Reliable Water Access in Myanmar's Dry Zone
May 20, 2024
Community members in the dry zone transport water using a cow carriage.
Surviving the scorching summer in Myanmar's Dry Zone presents significant challenges, particularly due to water scarcity. Accessing clean water becomes an urgent necessity for rural communities. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) acknowledges these challenges and is committed to building resilience in these areas.
One of UNDP's initiatives in Kan Ni Gyi village exemplifies this commitment. Without a sand filter for Kan Ni Gyi Pond, the village's primary water source, residents struggle to obtain clean drinking water.
The availability of clean drinking water from this pond is vital for our health as it serves our village and waters about 8,000 people from seven neighboring villages.—Daw Paw Naing, a villager who experienced health problems due to contaminated water.
To address this issue, the UNDP collaborated with the village committee to launch a water purification initiative, providing the community and nearby villages with access to clean water. The renovated Kan Ni Gyi Pond can now hold up to two million gallons of water, ensuring a reliable supply during the scorching summer months.
The transformed Kan Ni Gyi Pond post-renovation.
UNDP's efforts provided access to clean water and strengthened resilience by engaging village members in project execution through a cash-for-work program, allowing villagers to earn temporary income.
Local girls fetching water from the revitalized pond.
U Maung Win, a member of the village, describes their previous struggles with storing clean water during the summer months, "Before UNDP renovated the pond and installed a sand trap, the water was undrinkable, leading to health problems. With the renovation, we can now store lots of gallons of water, enabling us to survive the summer."
"During the pond renovation, UNDP prioritized hiring vulnerable individuals from our village to work as labourers, providing us with additional income during a time when job opportunities were scarce due to the end of the harvest season,” explains Ma Paw Naing.
Together, we're working to transform challenges into opportunities, building resilience, transforming communities, and ensuring sustainable development in Myanmar's Dry Zone.