Liberia: Seven Dead from Waterborne Diseases in Sawolor Town, as Residents Turn to Creek Water After Only Hand Pump Breaks Down.
In 2011, an international non-profit charity built the only hand pump in Sawolor Town, providing residents with an alternative to creek water. However, this progress was undone in 2022 when the pump was completely damaged after multiple repairs. Now, the town’s 1,258 residents have been forced to return to drinking from the creek. Local authorities confirmed to this paper that at least seven people have died from diarrhea-related illnesses since the pump broke down. The towns secretary, Jerome Koko said:
“Our people in this town are exposed to diarrhea and running stomach as a result of drinking from the creek.”
