By: Gabriel Parker
Tubmanburg, Bomi – An investigation conducted by Liberia Excellent News Network (LENN) has shown increase of medical cases of waterborne diseases and diarrhea among residents of Tubmanburg, Bomi County due to lack of safe drinking water.
Over the last two months, LENN has been speaking with residents of the western region city about sources of safe drinking water and challenges they pass through to fetch water.
The city with a mixed landscape has for years suffered the consequences of lack of safe drinking water as residents would have to travel into far distances for clean drinking water. Others are forced to drink from creeks in modern day Liberia.
Dr. Levi Korheina
The Medical Director at the Liberian Government Hospital in Tubmanburg Dr. Levi Korheina has confirmed a surge in waterborne disease and diarrhea cases among residents of the city.
Dr. Korheina identified diarrhea as the most common illness linked to unsafe water, with children being the most affected.
According to the head of the Liberian Government Hospital Medical Director, the cases are surging due to lack of safe drinking water sources as either water sources are not or properly treated for consumption.
He advised that policy makers and humanitarian organization aid residents of Tubmanburg with clean and safe drinking water.
Residents’ Accounts
As the water crisis deepens, residents are calling on government authorities, humanitarian organizations, and stakeholders to intervene and restore access to safe drinking water in Tubmanburg and surrounding areas.
Several community leaders in Tubmanburg have also raised alarm over the growing lack of access to safe drinking water in their respective communities, describing the situation as a serious public health threat.
According to the community leaders, the dry season has left many hand pumps across the city without water, making it extremely difficult for the residents to fetch clean and safe water.
“In Bahai Center Community, we have four pumps, but as I speak, only one of them is functioning,” said Bendu Johnson, a community leader. “Even that one, the water color has changed to red, which is not safe for us.”
The situation has forced many residents to walk long distances in search of safe water.
Maima Johnson, a female leader of the densely populated Joseph Town Community, expressed frustration over the burden of fetching water from faraway areas. “For Joseph Town, we travel about 30 minutes to other communities to get water. At times, we are even denied by those communities because the water issue is affecting everyone,” she lamented.
Residents, especially children, are now facing health risks due to the consumption of contaminated water. “Sometimes our kids suffer from running stomach because of the same water we drink,” Johnson added.
The water crisis is not a problem for just few communities but spans across all 22 communities within Tubmanburg City. Salia Sheriff, Secretary of the Tubmanburg General Community, emphasized the gravity of the situation.
“Tubmanburg is seriously challenged. The entire Vai Town #1, #2, and #3 communities with a population of over ten thousand are affected,” he noted.
Residents of the western region city are now calling on their lawmakers and the central government to make some swift interventions to safe residents of the city.
