More than 4,000 people are now drinking clean water in Niassa

TEXT: Helder Chirico - PHOTOS / VIDEOS: Helder Chirico - 26. August 2025

«When the fountain broke down, we had to walk long distances, more than two hours, to fetch water from the Nicamiso River. The water was dirty, but we had no other choice. We would just let the water settle and then remove the top dirt layer to drink. But now that the borehole is working again, we have clean water to drink, and the stomachaches and diarrhea that affected my family have decreased. Nowadays, we have clean water close to home, which makes it easier to bathe, wash clothes, and cook»

Nina Marcelino, resident of the community of Votiua 2, Niassa province

Nita Marcelino is one of the beneficiaries of the 15 water boreholes equipped with hand pumps currently in operation after being rehabilitated last July by Helvetas Mozambique, as part of the WASH Niassa project implemented jointly with the Government of Mozambique.

The 15 rehabilitated water points, part of a total of 25, are benefiting more than 4,500 people in the administrative posts of Nipepe-Sede and Muipite. The operationalization of the water points is taking place alongside the promotion of hygiene and sanitation in the communities.

In 2024, 43 water points were rehabilitated in the districts of Marrupa and Nipepe, 21 in the district of Marrupa and 22 in the district of Nipepe, benefiting 12.900 people from 34 communities.