Access to Clean Water Restored in Zata District After Years of Conflict
Story by: Kedija Sefa and Hilina Abebe/Norwegian Church Aid
Zenebe Mesay is a farmer from At ketema in Addis Mender locality, Zata District of Ethiopia. For nearly four years, his community struggled to access safe drinking water after the village water well, originally constructed in 2016, was damaged during the conflict in 2021.
“The war destroyed not only our homes, property, and livestock, but also our water supply,” Zenebe said. “After the well stopped working, there was no support to repair it.”
With the water point out of service, more than 150 households in the locality were forced to rely on river water for drinking and household use. The river was also used by livestock, increasing the risk of contamination. As a result, water-borne illnesses became common in the community.
“We had no option but to drink river water,” Zenebe explained. “Many people became sick. I was ill several times, and health workers advised me to avoid drinking the water unless it was boiled.”
In 2025, access to clean water was restored through the rehabilitation of the water point, supported by OCHA’s Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund (EHF) and implemented by Norwegian Church Aid Ethiopia, enabling safe water access for the community once again. Zenebe is now one of seven members of the village water committee and supports the maintenance of the system.
“We can now use clean water for drinking, cooking, and washing,” he said. “We no longer fear getting sick from water, and even our livestock can drink clean water.”
Before the water point became operational, committee members received five days of training on basic maintenance and system management. The community also established a cost-sharing mechanism to support sustainability. Each household contributes between 50 and 200 birr per month based on their capacity, and the committee has so far collected 10,000 birr to cover future repairs.
Abebu Belay, a resident of the same village, serves as the treasurer of the water committee. She recalls the difficulties families faced when the water system was not functioning.
“We were using river water that was not clean and was trampled by cattle,” Abebu said. “Even when we boiled it, people still became sick from water-borne diseases.”
“We were using river water that was not clean and was trampled by cattle,”
Since the rehabilitation of the water point in May 2025, Abebu says daily life has improved significantly. “The water has reduced illness and eased the burden on families.”
Alongside the rehabilitation work, community members received training on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation, safe water use, and handwashing practices.
To protect the water source, the community collectively support locals a guard who monitors the water point. “We contribute food to support the guard,” Abebu explained. “This helps keep the water source safe and prevents damage.”
For Zenebe, Abebu, and their neighbours, access to clean water has restored access to a basic service, reduced health risks, strengthened community cooperation, and offered a measure of stability after years of disruption caused by conflict.
Overall, the EHF-supported response has improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for more than 79,000 people, including vulnerable groups, translating into fewer illnesses, safer homes, and small but meaningful steps toward recovery for families affected by conflict and climate shocks.