From stream to safe supply, Iceland support brings clean water to Sierra Leone’s coastal communities

Tissana Wharf, Sierra Leone - For years, residents of Tissana Wharf, a small fishing community along the Moyamba coastline, relied on a stream for their daily water needs, including drinking, washing, cooking, and cleaning fish. The water was unsafe, especially during the rainy season when it turned brown and murky, and during the dry months when the stream nearly disappeared. Women and children often spent hours each day fetching water, while waterborne illnesses were a constant threat.

Now, that long struggle for clean and safe water is coming to an end.

Through the “Improving Access to Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Services for Improved Livelihoods and Child-Friendly Environment in Rural Fishing Communities” programme, funded by the Government of Iceland and implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, construction is underway to bring lasting change to Tissana Wharf.

The community of about 6,700 people is among the 17 rural fishing communities across Sierra Leone benefiting from Iceland’s support to expand climate-resilient WASH services that promote better health, stronger livelihoods, and safer environments for children. The programme provides boreholes and pipe-borne water systems, sanitation facilities to eliminate open defecation, and modern fish landing platforms with running water, all designed to create healthier, more child-friendly environments and strengthen the resilience of fishing communities facing climate challenges.

At Tissana Wharf, workers are busy building the new facilities that will soon transform life in this vibrant coastal community.

Standing near the construction site, Nematu Kabia, a WASH Committee member, shares her excitement for what lies ahead. “We have suffered for clean water for as long as I can remember. We used to fetch water from the stream, and many children fell sick. Seeing these new structures going up gives us hope. Soon we will have safe water and proper toilets right here in our community.”

For Chief Munda Williams, the local chief of Tissana Wharf, the project represents more than infrastructure; it is a step toward dignity and development. “This project means a new beginning for our people”, he says. “Clean water and toilets will change the way we live and protect the health of our families. We are proud to be part of this progress.”

At the district level, officials see the initiative as a model for improving livelihoods and public health in fishing communities. Engineer Elizabeth Sia Fayia of the Bonthe District Council explains: 

“This project demonstrates how access to clean water and sanitation can support both health and economic growth. It will improve hygiene at the fish landing site, enhance the quality of fish products, and empower communities to live in a cleaner, safer environment.”

UNICEF’s WASH Specialist, Bioye Ogunjobi, commended the Government of Iceland for its continued partnership and vision. “The Iceland-supported WASH programme is transforming lives across Sierra Leone’s coastal communities. By investing in climate-resilient systems, we help people like those at Tissana Wharf build a healthier, more sustainable future. These facilities will soon stand as a symbol of what can be achieved through true partnership and community participation.”

As the sun sets over Tissana Wharf, the hum of construction continues, a hopeful sound of progress. For the people here, the sight of water tanks, pipes, and newly built structures is more than just development; it’s a promise of dignity, opportunity, and better health for generations to come.