Given the unwholesome and limited sources of water supply available to many of the communities in our target areas, they remain vulnerable to COVID -19 while suffering from widespread incidence of poor hygiene and water borne diseases, and poor levels of environmental sanitation. It its evident therefore, that the present limitation associated with water supply can hardly facilitate economic growth and public health outcomes. The implication for both men and women are the worsening case of poverty and sicknesses. Apart from the ravaging threats of COVID-19, other health consequences of water and sanitation – related diseases abound, so also is the fetching of water from afar locations which inflicts a heavy burden in terms of time and effort, especially on women and children, many of whom must walk long distances to water sources (usually low yielding aquifers) and then wait for long periods in line to fill their buckets. This is a part of the daily routine for many women and girls in the communities, often taking up several hours a day. The involvement of children, in particular girls, in this chore restricts attendance at school, as well as time for play. Furthermore, water-carrying exerts a toll on women’s health. Water containers typically hold about 20litres of water and weigh about 20kilograms. Carrying such a heavy weight on the head, back or hip has severe health implications for women, who commonly experience backache and joint pains. In extreme cases, of the spine and pelvic deformities result, creating complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

We note that enough safe drinking water is important in the control of many diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that as many as 80% of all infectious diseases in the world are associated with insufficient and unsafe water. This is particularly well established for diseases such as COVID-19, diarrheas, cholera, typhoid and paratyphoid fever, infectious hepatitis, amoebic and bacillary dysentery etc. The prevalence of some of these sicknesses in the target community raises enormous concerns thus demanding an immediate attention. We note that diarrheas remain a killer disease, especially for babies and children below the age of five. Studies have shown that in COVID-19 or even diarrhea prevention more water for hygiene and better sanitation is more important than better water quality. It has shown too that for a positive impact at least three quarters of the families must use, and be able to continue to use, enough water for hygiene. They must also use hygienic methods of excreta disposal (Esrey, 1994). Safe, adequate, and accessible supplies of water combined with proper sanitation, are surely basic needs and essential components of primary health care. Our call for action is urgent because it is also a source of, and condition for, socio-economic development in the community. Problems of poverty are inextricably but latently linked to water and sanitation. Poverty eradication efforts will fail if people are allowed to live with unsafe water and filth. Sanitation, beyond the immediate concerns of privacy and convenience, benefits the whole community. The problems of poor sanitation are externalized. Our action will free people from the burdens of diseases that make them sick and unavailable for productive activities.