HOPE BEYOND HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION
AN IHAP+ 2 SUCCESS STORY
Over 600 conflict-affected individuals in the Indimi Housing Estate, Bama LGA of Borno State, struggle with the brunt of the ongoing humanitarian crisis. They lack access to essential services, including healthcare and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and having one functional handpump with undrinkable water to serve the community, negatively impacts their health and well-being.
In commemoration of World Water Day on 22nd March 2022, the NNPC/SNEPCo.’s IHAP+2 project focused on addressing the immediate water supply needs of the beneficiaries in Indimi Housing Estate through empowerment. The project, jointly supported by community leaders, including Bulamas, LGA primary healthcare director, and the In-Charge, Indimi PHC clinic, identified and empowered two IDPs, Modu Wajam Modu and Yahaya Goni Mele, with water pushcarts. The pushcart will increase access to portable water in their households and community. Provide a source of income to the beneficiaries, reducing their dependency on aid. The beneficiaries expressed joy and appreciation for the support upon receiving the pushcart.
“Life became difficult when the insurgents displaced us from our village. We lost all means of livelihood. As the eldest son, I was responsible for providing and caring for my aged parents, siblings, wife and child. I am overwhelmed with joy for being selected and receiving the pushcart from NNPC/SNEPCo and FHI 360. I was not expecting a huge gift. I have tried to learn a skill or find a job, but it has been hard.” Yahaya Goni Mele shared. Likewise, Modu Wajam Modu was elated by the news. He said, “This is the first time I received such a huge gift. I never expected such a gift from an organisation because we mostly get food and non-food items periodically. But this gift from NNPC/SNEPCo and FHI 360 is a life changer. I could never have afforded it.”
The empowerment falls in line with the vision of NNPC/SNEPCo to support conflict-affected populations and build their resilience, adapt, and face emerging challenges with dignity and strength.
Community leaders Bulama Babakura Alhaji Mukhtar and Bulama Modu lauded the support, “We received the news of the gift of a pushcart from NNPC/SNEPCo and FHI 360 with joy. Access to safe water has been a challenge in our community. These beneficiaries have no source of livelihood. The pushcart will provide them with a source of income to support themselves and their families. We promise to monitor its usage and ensure that they sustain it. We thank NNPC/SNEPCo and FHI 360 for this.”
Similarly, Bashir Adamu Mohammed, the In-Charge of the Indimi PHC Clinic, commended NNPC/SNEPCo and FHI 360 for the innovation. “This is an innovation that I will encourage other implementing partners to emulate. Providing a means of livelihood ensures the sustainability of the intervention’s impact on the people and community. We hope to receive more of such gifts soon.” – Bashir Adamu Mohammed
Modu Wajam Modu and Yahaya Goni Mele are married with children and live with their extended families, including his aged parents and siblings. They are the sole provider for their families. Once they commence the small-scale commercial service as a water vendor, they can meet the immediate needs of their families. Most households will have access to water at a cheaper fee.
The NNPC/SNEPCo. IHAP+2 project lifespan, FHI 360 will rehabilitate three water points in Bama to increase water availability, give portable drinking water to the people, reduce waterborne diseases, and increase hygiene practices.
World Water Day holds globally to bring attention to water needs and towards contributing to the Sustainable Developmental Goal 2030. This year’s theme was “Groundwater, making the invisible, visible.”
