KOICA supports water quality enhancement project in Mullaitivu

Wednesday, 31 October 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The completion ceremony of the second stage of the water quality enhancement project was held in Maritimepattu of Mullaitivu District on 25 October. This is a three-year (2017-2019) project which is being conducted by the Lamp INGO and funded by KOICA for villagers in Maritimepattu Division where some people are suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

The ceremony was attended by Lee Dong Ku, Country Director of KOICA Sri Lanka office, Ketheeswaran, District Secretary, Mullaitivu, Seo Jin Tae, Sri Lanka Head Officer of the Lamp INGO, Ahn Tae Ju, International Manager of the Lamp INGO and the villagers who will be provided with safe drinking water.

The main drinking water for the villagers were taken from ground-water wells which are contaminated with agricultural chemicals and fertiliser, and it was the main reason for the cause of water-borne diseases and fearful CKD. However, with the 60m deep well, operated by The Lamp INGO, the people will be able to get safe drinking water at a very lower cost. Furthermore, a resident autonomy committee is organised and will carry out action to maintain the water facility effectively.

Ketheeswaran said: “This town was affected by the previous war, so people are in need of many things to sustain lives. I would like to thank the Lamp INGO for giving us the very prerequisite, water. We will make sure that the facility is managed well so that the people can have a better life. I also want to thank specially KOICA, who made the project happen.”

Lee emphasised: “Safe drinking water is essential to have healthy life for everyone. It should be an urgent issue to supply safe water especially to pregnant women, the elderly, and infants with weak immunity.”

KOICA Sri Lanka office has a high priority for the development in the North-eastern Provinces comparatively underdeveloped. KOICA in cooperation with WFP is supporting to increase resilience to drought by establishing community and household water harvesting systems and recently, KOICA also has signed on a multi-year partnership with UNICEF for Kilinochchi district to provide better educational opportunity for young people.