Allied Recovery International, 780 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802-2413, USA, ARI@AlliedRI.org
ARI ensures safe water for forgotten communities of displaced East Timorese
During October-November 2009, with private donations, ARI restored clean water sources to 4256 households of dislocated East Timorese in 27 communities in Belu Regency, TTU and Kupang 2 (West Timor). These communities - informal settlements dating back to the conflict in East Timor – have endured extremely low standards of living since the pullout of international assistance several years ago.
In several of the settlements, wells were dug years ago and furnished with generator pumps that quickly fell into disrepair, rendering them unusable. Where there are hand dug wells, water typically is drawn with buckets, leading to contamination. With a skilled engineer, trained team, and local labourers, ARI renovated 35 wells and installed treadle pumps that are easy to maintain and repair. In one recently formed settlement, Dusun Leoruas, Bakustulanta, Tasifeto Barat District, where the community had built a septic system, ARI constructed two latrine blocks with bathing areas, one each for women/children and men. In keeping with ARI’s commitment to sustainability, ARI trained community appointees in the maintenance and repair of the treadle pumps, ensuring a clean source of water for years to come.
Two of the settlements we have visited have no safe water source. At one site, one hundred families must walk four kilometers to collect water that dribbles from a spring. It takes an hour to fill a five gallon jerry can. There is a line of persons waiting, around the clock, to collect water, even through the night. The other settlement uses muddy water from a hole dug in a dry stream bed, 2 kilometers away. Both sources place families at greater risk of dehydration and of illnesses borne in unsanitary conditions.
We want to assist these two communities by drilling wells in the camps and installing our treadle pumps. We expect the depth of the wells to be quite deep, which drives up the cost of drilling to $7,000 per well. Your donation to ARI for these wells will be greatly appreciated. Your contribution will be directly applied to the equipment, labor, and transport costs needed to construct these two wells.
