Sirak inhabitants plagued by chronic water, health and security crises

The population of Maroua in the Far North region say their uncountable pleas for government authorities to address the chronic water crisis they have been facing for many years have fallen on deaf ears.

Inhabitants of Sirak in the Mayor Tsanaga division for instance share a common water source with domestic animals like pigs and cattle. The water fetched from the water body is used for cooking, drinking, washing of dishes and bathing.

“To get this water we are forced to trek a distance of over 10kms. Despite its colourful and unhealthy nature, we drink to quench our taste. We have no other alternative. It gives us illnesses, what will we do?” a woman questioned.

By consuming the contaminated water, they are exposed to cholera and other water born diseases. Those mostly vulnerable are women and children.

“Within a month, we record at least 15 cases of cholera. We don’t have a health centre in Sirak but from the symptoms we could tell it is cholera,” another native revealed.

Apart from the health risks, the women and girls are often attacked and raped by hoodlums.

“The water source is far from here. Many women and girls have been raped by criminals as they cover several kilometres to fetch water. There is no security,” another woman testified.

For safety reasons, they are bound to trek as a group to fetch water and back. This method to them has scared some of the rapists away.

“Since we move in a group, we are no longer afraid and those bad guys shy away. At first they would maximize the opportunity when alone,” she added.

Apart from imploring authorities for the provision potable water and hospitals, the over 16,000 people making up the community also beg that security posts be created in the village which also hosts internally displaced persons.