Communities in the highland province of Rattanakiri in north-west Cambodia have access to fewer health and general services than other groups throughout the country. Because of these marginal conditions, they suffer from respiratory infections and diarrhoeal related diseases – all diseases which are caused by lack of access to clean water and poor hygiene.
With support from Nestlé Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden), the Red Cross is ensuring that households have access to sufficient clean drinking water and water for domestic purposes. 7 protected ring wells have been constructed, ensuring all-year access for 175 households or approximately 875 people to sufficient clean drinking water within 500 meter from their home. Trained by the Red Cross, families in the villages are being trained to technically maintain the water points themselves. Families not able to collect clean water from a protected well since they might be living further away receive a household water filter to support the use of safe water for drinking.
The 7 protected ring wells - also called combined wells - are hand digged wells with cement rings, cover and hand pumps. This model is known in the province and can easily be maintained while spare parts for hand pumps are easily available. The community contributed land, fencing and smaller amounts of local construction material. ‘Water user groups’ around each water point and ‘water maintenance committees’ have been established – one per well with at least 50% women.
Health and hygiene knowledge is very low in the targeted villages. To encourage positive acceptance and correct use of the wells and water, two WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) clubs with 10-15 people from the village have been set up. Each club meets once a month to learn and practice the importance of how and why to use clean drinking water, keep good personal and food hygiene and clean environment around the living area.
The wells are built in 6 remote villages in Veun Sai districts in the central/north part of the Rattanakiri province where indigenous Tumpoun and Kroeung minorities live.