Being the upstream of many big rivers such as Dong Nai river andXexan river, the Central Highlands of Vietnamhas a river system with up to 50 billion m3/year water surface. However, people in the Central Highlands are still extremely "thirsty" for clean water in the dry season, especially in recent years when climate change has madedrought days last longer.
Although the amount of surface water in the Central Highlands is large, 80% of which is concentrated mainly in the rainy season. Recently, from November to April each year, climate change and unusual weather have made the dry season more severe.
In addition, in 2019, the Central Highlands lost 15,700 hectares of forest, the greening area decreased sharply, causing heat from mountainside areasto spread to low areas, causing aridity and widespread dehydration. Consequently, localshave to travel very far to find the remaining water sources for their daily use.
According to Ms. Nguyen Thuy Nga (volunteer of the group "Bringing clean water to the village"), most of the water sources in the Central Highlands are polluted from farming activities and factories. People in Gia Lai often get leprosy due to frequent use of these dirty water sources.
However,the locals cannot yet drill their own wells and local water tankscannot provide water suppliesfor everyone.After the first 2 months or the dry season, people in the Central Highlands have no choice but unsafe water sources.
Understanding the difficulties of people in the Central Highlands, ASIF has launched the Well project which lasts from 2020 to 2025 with the goal of drilling 80-100 wells per year, bringing clean water to 375,000 people in the area. By the end of December 2020, there were 15 water wells funded by the community and ASIF, helping more than 15,000 people in the Central Highlands access clean water.
In Dak Re 1 village (Dak Re 1 commune, Dak Na district), people often have to fetch water at a stream located about 2 km from the village. Thanks to the project's well number 4, they have finally had clean water for daily use without travelling far every single day.
In Dak Manh village (Dak Ro Nga commune, Dak To district), a water pipeline from well 2 has been installed to bring clean water source to the parish of Dak Manh village. Thanks to it, people can now come and get water conveniently. Furthermore, women with children and the elderly do not have to travel long distances to access water. This new well helpsthem avoid diseases, protectingcommunity health.
The new wells’ positive impacts on various aspects of life in the Central Highlands clearly showed the project’s effectiveness. The Well project aims to drill a total of 500 wells, helping people access clean water for at least the next 3 years. For every well you fund, ASIF will join hands to contribute another, doubling the benefits for people in these highlands.
Know more about project:
Website: https://www.giengsachtraobuon.org/