Save the Children, a nonprofit committed to helping children live better lives has donated 30 rehabilitated and newly constructed water facilities to Somolo Local Government Area and Bariga Local Council Development Area.
The donation which is part of the Stop Diarrhoea Initiative (SDI), a four-year project implemented by Save the Children in collaboration with the Lagos State Government is aimed at reducing diarrhea incidence among under 5-year-old children in Somolu LGA and Bariga LCDA. The project, it was learnt seeks to implement the efficacy of the WHO/UNICEF recommended 7-point plan for diarrhea prevention.
Present at the occasion of the handing over ceremony were various community leaders, members of the Lagos state Ministry of Environment and council workers and residents of Somolu and Bariga.
Mrs Zeinat Adeola Oniye, the vice-chairman Bariga LGA expressed gratitude to the organization for alleviating the scourge of water scarcity in both communities by providing clean water and a solar system to power the water treatment. “You’ve invested a huge sum of resources and you are giving it to us for free. The people of Somolu and Bariga appreciate your effort over the years, especially in the aspect of how you are helping us eradicate diarrhea from our society,” she said while urging residents of both areas to adapt to the culture of cleanliness by adopting handwashing as a way of life.
The Chief of Party for the Stop Diarrhea Project (SDP), Mr David Atamewale in his remark disclosed that the need to reduce the prevalence of diarrhea in both communities informed the donation of the water facilities.
“We are aiming towards reducing at least 50% diarrhea incidence among 5-year-old children and below. Somolu LGA was chosen because it has the highest rate of diarrhea.
“The SDI is a 4-year project designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the 7-points plan recommended by UNICEF for diarrhea prevention and control. Access to quality water is one of them so for the past 4 years, we have worked with very committed people in Lagos state in our collective effort to bring an end to diarrhoea”, he said.