Solidarités International and its HAACT programme
SI/HAACT and ADKOUL deploy 30 ORISA® filters in Telemces, Niger
In response to this need, SI, in collaboration with the national NGO ADKOUL, identified 30 vulnerable households from host, IDP and refugee communities. Each household received an ORISA® water purification filter to improve their access to drinking water. An innovative technology, the ORISA® filter is a self-contained water purifier with ultrafiltration membranes and an integrated backwash system. It can be fully repaired, dismantled and recycled.
Use of ORISA® by beneficiaries
Four months after the filters were distributed, a post-distribution follow-up survey was carried out to assess the adoption of the solution by beneficiaries. The results showed that all the beneficiaries were using their filter and said that it fully met their needs.
The use of unprotected water sources was a key criterion for selecting filter beneficiary households. All households filter water from unprotected sources (cemented wells, traditional wells, marigots). The filters are functional and used daily by all households that filter water at home. The filtered water is used for drinking and cooking.
Within households, women are the main people responsible for responsible for using and maintaining the filters. On average, beneficiary households filter between 25 and 75 litres of water per day, without any significant physical effort or hardship. Some of the beneficiaries lend their filters to their neighbours, which makes it possible to meet the drinking water needs of part of the population of Telemces.
A positive impact on everyday life
An improvement in water quality has been noted since the use of ORISA® purifiers, particularly in terms of taste and colour. They are appreciated for their ease of use and simple maintenance, and for helping to reduce water-borne diseases and save money. In fact, 99% of respondents had saved money, with estimated savings ranging from 25 to over 100 CFA francs per day.
Encouraging initial results
Initial results show that this first pilot project carried out by SI/ HAACT in partnership with the national NGO ADKOUL has resulted in the successful adoption of the filters by beneficiaries, who appreciate their ease of use and maintenance, as well as their impact in terms of saving money and reducing water-borne diseases. Post-distribution monitoring provided an opportunity to reiterate key messages and raise awareness among beneficiary households about the proper use of ORISA® purifying filters in order to ensure their longevity.
‘Access to water remains a major problem. We bring autonomy to people whether they are in emergency or humanitarian development situations.’
David Monnier, former humanitarian, Chairman and co-founder of Fonto de vivo, your point of contact for humanitarian programmes dedicated to access to clean water.
‘Adapting filtration technologies and making them affordable for everyone's use, to meet the social and ecological challenges of our time.’
Anthony Cailleau, French representative for projects in Colombia, Managing Director and co-founder of Fonto de vivo, contact for development aid and international cooperation.
