Guest post by Norine Naguib, Canadian Red Cross aid worker
In drought-stricken Ethiopia, the Canadian Red Cross is supporting the Ethiopian Red Cross Society in delivering immediate life-saving help, including safer drinking water (via water trucking and water purification), hygiene promotion and supplies, and supplementary feed for livestock.
As some rains return to the southern zone of Wolayita and water trucking ends, people have resumed collecting unclean water from rivers and streams. A project to drill deep wells for improved public water supply is underway; in the meantime water purification is critical to prevent waterborne diseases.
Pictured above, Mashesha Malkumu of the local community Water Bureau, instructs residents on how to use water purification supplies as part of the Red Cross response. Distribution of these supplies, along with instruction, is expected to reach 5,784 households.
This work is undertaken with the financial support of the British Red Cross.