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Project - Ethiopia In the Liban Zone of Ethiopia, as water resources dwindle during the dry season, communities are forced to consolidate around remaining supplies. However, the dense herds of cattle quickly deplete their food supply through overgrazing. Ultimately, the people are forced to choose between their own dehydration or the herd’s starvation. Their only recourse is to take their cattle to fertile pastures and make regular pilgrimages for water.Women bear the greatest burden of the water shortage. Often, they walk up to three days carrying over one hundred pounds of water. The women perform these duties in spite of their own health, during illness or pregnancy. Many women die in childbirth while alone on a trek to supply water to their families. Engineers Without Borders - Puget Sound Professional Partners (EWB-PSPP) is teaming with GPA to evaluate and design water supply and treatment projects. In late January/early February of 2007, EWB-PSPP sent chapter members to perform a site assessment of the Dhibu Qordobo and Qobo sites, meet with regional and community leaders, and perform a community health assessment. This assessment was intended to allow EWB-PSPP to understand community needs and limitations and to discern what previous methods of construction and water quality treatment have worked, and which methods have failed (and why). The assessment included an evaluation of the dams, reservoirs, and water handling practices in the community, health and sanitation issues, livestock management, available materials and equipment, and community labor, skills, and organization. This information will be used to determine appropriate and sustainable practices. The project team is currently evaluating possible project sites and studying appropriate designs for dam repairs and water quality treatment systems, as well as planning for an educational program for the community to protect and maintain their water supply. For more information, please contact Ken Ludwa.
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