Bidibidi Settlement, Yumbe District — A severe water crisis has gripped Villages 9 and 10 in Zone 4 Annex of the Bidibidi Refugee Settlement, where residents have now endured three consecutive days without water following the breakdown of the main water pump.
The situation has sparked growing concern among residents and humanitarian actors, as women and children are forced to walk long distances in search of water.
The daily struggle to access this basic necessity is severely disrupting household routines, health, and education.
“We wake up as early as 5 a.m. to begin the search for water. By the time we return, the children are too exhausted to go to school,” said Amina, a mother of four in Village 9. “Even the little ones are suffering.”
School-going children are reportedly missing lessons, with many arriving late or too tired to concentrate, impacting their academic performance.
Teachers in the nearby primary schools have noted increased absenteeism and reduced classroom engagement.
In the affected households, tensions are rising. Disputes over water usage and the stress of long queues at alternative water points are adding strain to domestic life, with community leaders warning of the potential for further unrest if the issue is not resolved swiftly.
Community leaders and camp management officials are calling for immediate intervention from humanitarian agencies and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to restore water access and prevent further suffering.
“We are appealing to all responsible agencies and partners to urgently repair the pump and provide temporary water trucking services,” said a Zone 4 block leader. “This is a crisis.”
As the dry spell intensifies and temperatures soar, the need for a quick response grows more urgent. Residents hope their voices will be heard before the situation deteriorates further.
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