The Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus has on Thursday emphasised the need for partners working in water sector to integrate water systems in a bid to strengthen community’s resilience.

Speaking during a courtesy call by Team and Team International National Director Christine Mwikali, Dr. Erus said, it will be of great benefit that water supply services provided by partners are not only for domestic use but also for other multiple uses by the communities.

“As County Government, we support the initiatives our partners are doing to complement our activities. However, I ask our partners to implement projects that address water challenges by integrating the water systems that are geared to build community’s resilience for all of their needs against the impacts of climate change”. Said the DG

He challenged the Team and Team International to visit Lodwar County Referral Hospital (LCRH) after he recently commissioned the first of its kind, an integrated solar water desalination system for drinking, irrigation, fish farm and waste recycling at the Referral Facility.

Dr. Erus noted that the event which marked the hospital’s move towards its sustainability and semi-autonomy, the project was co-funded by Boreal Light GmbH and Water Kiosk.

The Deputy Governor reiterated Team and Team International can also do a project of similar intervention to address water challenges in the County.

On her part, the National Director, Christine Mwikali briefed the Deputy Governor on the Program Corporation Agreement (PCA) between Water Sector Trust Fund, Team and Team International and Turkana County Government.

Discussion on the MOU between Team and Team International and County Government on the implementation of Sustainable Management and Access to Water and Sanitation in ASALs Programme (SWASAP) funded by Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF) and TCG was critically highlighted.

“The project dubbed Kakuma and Kalobeyei sustainable access to water and sanitation is in support of livelihood program (KK-INSPIRE), which aims at providing sustainable access to water and sanitation to person of concern in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement”. Said Mwikali.

She revealed that the 12 month’s project has integrated water system by drilling, equipping and solarising a borehole in

19-acre Choro farm, install 20 water points for irrigation, install pipeline to the raising mains of existing borehole hole to increase water access in Kakuma refugee camp.

Similarly, the Project Manager, Team and Team International based in Kakuma, Naftal Andala said hygiene and sanitation services is another component of the project that includes installation of sanitation facilities in Bright Star secondary school in Kalobeyei integrated settlement, and Choro farm.

Andala adds that the water resource management is included in the school greening and kitchen garden installation, tree planting, trainings on agriculture and capacity building on WASH.

Tito Ochieng (Director water services) and Gabriel Ipas (Assistant Director, Administration) were present in the meeting.