Hygiene Crisis Hits Monsterrado
A serious sanitation crisis has struck two communities in Monsterrado County, leaving several women and children victimized from waterborne diseases. Residents of both Baobo Town and New Community in Virginia, rural Montserrado County are said to be facing serious hygiene and sanitation problems. The residents are said to be in dire need of safe drinking water with lack of hygiene services.
According to reports, children usually get sick in the area from running stomach and other waterborne diseases. They have described the situation as a death trap, adding that it is embarrassing and getting out of hand. The residents are said to be fetching drinking water from creeks and uncovered wells in the midst proper latrines.
They made the disclosure at a one-day Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Advocacy Forum held recently to design a policy that will be used by lawmakers and leaders of the two communities to improve the WASH situation in the areas.
The forum was funded by WaterAid and facilitated by the United Youth for Peace, Education, Transparency and Development in Liberia. The head of the group Timothy Kpeh, said the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene situation in Baobo Town and New Community is alarming.
The forum brought together the physically challenged, women, youth groups and legislative aspirants to draft a policy to address the situation. Mr. Kpeh explained that when passed into law, the policy will help community dwellers to solve the many sanitation problems they are faced with.
He said, “We will also establish WASH teams that will monitor and manage WASH related activities in Baobo Town and New Community.” The two communities are situated in District # 17, Montserrado County.
