UNICEF, RUWASSA Distribute WASH Kits to 1,500 IDP Households in Sokoto
Kola Oyelere Kano
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About 1,500 internally displaced households across four communities in Tangaza and Sokoto South Local Government Areas of Sokoto State have benefited from the distribution of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) dignity kits.
The intervention was implemented by the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as part of ongoing humanitarian WASH interventions targeting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities in the state.
The distribution covered Sabon Gari and Shiyar Hakimi communities in Tangaza, as well as Gagi and Tudun Wada communities in Sokoto South.
A total of 469 WASH dignity kits were distributed to households in Tangaza, while 1,031 kits were distributed in Sokoto South, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 1,500 households.
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The intervention also included the construction of four new water schemes across four IDP locations, providing improved access to safe water for more than 12,000 people.
Speaking on the intervention, UNICEF Sokoto Chief of Field Office, Dr. Michael Juma, said access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene was a fundamental right and critical to protecting the health and dignity of vulnerable populations.
He said the provision of WASH services was particularly important for children, women and families affected by displacement.
“Through this partnership with RUWASSA and with the generous support of SIDA, we are strengthening life-saving WASH services while helping communities move from emergency response towards more sustainable and resilient solutions,” Juma said.
He added that UNICEF remained committed to supporting the Sokoto State Government to ensure that every child and family, including those affected by displacement, had equitable access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services.
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According to him, the intervention was designed to strengthen WASH services for vulnerable populations, reduce exposure to hygiene-related risks and improve access to safe water among displaced persons and host communities.
The response was supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) as part of its assistance for humanitarian WASH interventions in Sokoto State.