UNICEF and partners deliver safe water in Kigoma Region through the Ireland and Norway-funded UN Joint Programme

Kigoma Region, 24 September 2026: Today, UNICEF and partners handed over the Kumusenga-Kukinama Water Supply Project, bringing safe and sustainable drinking water to more than 12,000 people in Kumusenga and Kukinama villages in Kibondo District, Kigoma Region.

With funds from the Governments of Ireland and Norway through the United Nations Kigoma Joint Programme and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with Tanganyika Christian Refugee Services (TCRS), the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA), and local communities, the solar-powered water scheme marks the end of years of water challenges and the beginning of healthier, more resilient futures for children, women and families in Kibondo.

The Programme has transformed a partially developed and non-functional water scheme into a fully operational solar-powered water supply system. The upgraded system now serves more than 12,000 people and provides safe water to households, schools, health facilities, markets, and other public institutions. The initiative includes a water intake structure at the Linda River, a solar-powered pumping station, water treatment facilities, a 250,000-liter storage reservoir, and more than 12 kilometers of water distribution pipelines, bringing safe water closer to where families live.

"Today, we celebrate more than the completion of water infrastructure. We celebrate fulfilling a basic human right: access to safe, reliable water. For children, safe water means better health, improved nutrition, stronger protection against disease, and greater opportunities to learn and thrive. For women and girls, it means less time collecting water and more time in school, earning livelihoods, and pursuing their aspirations,” said Elke Wisch, UNICEF Representative to Tanzania. “This initiative demonstrates what is possible when government, development partners and communities work together around a shared vision for children and sustainable development."

The initiative was informed by a comprehensive engineering assessment that identified critical gaps preventing the original system from operating effectively, including inadequate water source development, the absence of pumping and treatment facilities, and insufficient storage and distribution infrastructure. Through this intervention, these challenges have been addressed, resulting in a climate-resilient water supply system powered by renewable solar energy that delivers reliable and sustainable access to safe water.

Access to safe water is expected to generate significant benefits for the two communities, including reduced exposure to waterborne diseases, improved hygiene and sanitation, strengthened health services, and better learning environments for children. The Project will also reduce the burden of water collection, particularly for women and girls, while creating opportunities for local economic growth and development.

In addition to infrastructure improvements, the initiative invested in sustainability by strengthening community ownership and management systems. Local water system operators and Community Health Workers received training to support maintenance, hygiene promotion, and long-term management of the scheme, helping ensure reliable services for years to come.

UNICEF called on all stakeholders to continue working together to protect and sustain the investment, emphasizing that the Project's success will ultimately depend on community ownership, responsible management, and continued investment in sustainability.

“The Kumusenga-Kukinama Water Supply initiative demonstrates the importance of investing in climate-resilient, renewable-energy-powered water systems as a pathway to achieving sustainable development and ensuring that every child has access to the services they need to survive, grow, and reach their full potential,” added Wisch.