Enhancing Resilience

In the most arid Htein San village in Chauk township, Magway, in the central dry zone of Myanmar, finding water is a herculean task for families. Whether for drinking, cooking, washing or other domestic use, families often have to trek several kilometers in scorching sun to reach water open sources that are very often contaminated and dry up. Buying water for daily use is the main alternative, costing about 30,000 MMK monthly which is beyond the means of most residents who are already struggling to make ends meet.

"Water is as essential as the air we breathe, but it feels like we're paying for every drop. We can't do anything without water, yet it costs us a fortune," expressed Daw Win Soe, a 29-year-old mother of two. In Htein San village, her family, like many others, allocates substantial part of their income to purchasing water. In the dry season, when all water sources dry up, the entire village is left with no alternative but to buy water, which becomes even more expensive. "Buying water at an exorbitant cost meant we had to ration the use, leaving our children mostly thirsty and impacting our general well-being. In extreme situations where families don't have enough money, it meant cooking or washing less often – with severe implications for our well-being, especially children," added Daw Win Soe.

In recent years, Chauk township has been facing the harsh realities of climate change, witnessing a steady rise in temperatures each year. The peak was recorded at a scorching 47.5°C in May 2020. Htein San village, home to 298 households, stands among the worst affected. The village grapples with shorter and less predictable rainfall patterns, significantly impacting its agricultural activities, which serve as the mainstay of the community.

"It became an existential problem as we do not have enough water to drink, cook, or even nurture our crops," recalled U Thar Toe, a community leader in Htein San. "We tried all we could, including a series of community consultations and traditional digging and storage methods, but to no avail."

In December 2022, a UNICEF WASH team visited Htein San to understand the peculiar terrain and determine the most practical and sustainable solution to the perennial challenge, heralding hopes for the population. After an extensive analysis and review, a series of consultations were held with the community to explore the most viable option, paving way for the establishment of a community-managed, climate-resilient water supply system for the Village.

The joint project commenced in early 2023, with the excavation of trenches, laying of pipes, construction of elevated water tanks etc. with 30 per cent cost contribution from the community. UNICEF facilitated the technical design for the pipe network and supplied materials for the PVC, metering and household connections.  To ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the project, a water committee comprising community members was established with technical support from UNICEF.

By July 2023, the community-led water project became fully operational quenching the thirst of families. “It is still like a dream – it was like breaking a vicious cycle of thirst that plagued us for many years. And we feel very proud and fulfilled that we were part of the solution”, said U Thar Toe who now chairs the Htein San water committee.

"The dry season, which was once our worst nightmare, no longer scares us. We now have enough water to drink, cook, wash, and other domestic needs all year long," shared Daw Win Soe.

To sustain the project, water meters were installed in every home to encourage judicious use, and a monthly tariff of 6,000 MMK is charged per household. This tariff helps to cover the operational and maintenance costs of the system. U Zaw Win, 56-year-old head of household with six members, vividly recalls, "I used to spend an average of 35,000 MMK to get water for my family each month, and even higher during the dry season. Now I pay a fraction, and the water is right there in my home - my children don't have to trek kilometers at night carrying buckets of water."

For Daw Win Soe’s family and many others, the change is profound. "We no longer have to put our children at risk by rationing water or relying on contaminated sources because of the high cost of getting potable water. Cooking and washing time is now happy time for us with clean water readily available."

The sustainable water supply model supported by UNICEF in Htein San is inspiring neighbouring villages in Chauk township to consider similar strategies which are in the works. With the worsening impact of climate change, creative and community-led/driven solutions will be critical to ensuring sustainability.