Response to drinking water needs of IDP was a critical humanitarian intervention implemented in February 2021 to protect displaced and returning populations affected by armed conflict in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. As security conditions improved, many internally displaced persons were forced to return to their communities without adequate access to safe drinking water.
Action for Change Foundation responded to urgent water needs in Diongo Village and surrounding communities in Manyu Division by providing Aqua tabs for water purification. The intervention targeted both returning households and vulnerable residents whose access to clean water had been severely disrupted by conflict and displacement.
Response to drinking water needs of IDP communities
Response to drinking water needs of IDP communities is essential in preventing waterborne diseases during and after displacement. In February and March 2021, 615 households, representing approximately 3,500 individuals, received Aqua tabs sufficient to cover a two month period.
In addition, 50 households in Diongo Village that had been directly affected by conflict received targeted support to ensure immediate access to safe drinking water upon return. The Aqua tabs enabled households to purify water from local sources, reducing health risks associated with unsafe water consumption.
The intervention was designed to provide a practical, rapid, and low cost solution in areas where water infrastructure had been damaged or abandoned during displacement. Water purification tablets were selected due to their effectiveness, ease of use, and suitability for emergency and early recovery contexts.