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Eritrea Safe Water

What is Carbon Avoidance?

Carbon avoidance is the prevention of future carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere. Carbon avoidance projects include renewable energy, improved forestry and land-use, but also handpump restoration and efficient cookstoves, because they require less wood for communities’ daily cooking and for boiling water. In each, current emissions are reduced by improved alternatives, but existing CO2 is left untouched.

About this Project

Background

In Eritrea, 81% of the population does not have direct access to clean water, requiring many to travel for long distances to find water, or alternatively rely on unsafe surface water sources such as rivers or open wells. This lack of clean water and sanitation can lead to health problems and is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the country. The many existing hand-pumps, which could otherwise start helping the people of Eritrea gain access to safe water, are unfortunately not properly repaired due to poor management and costs, leaving people without access to clean water. To avoid contaminated water, Eritreans have resulted to boiling water with emission-heavy methods such as coal burning, resulting to large quantities of GHG gases emitted daily. Zoba Debub is situated in the southern part of the country. It’s a largely rural region where access to safe water is a daily challenge and too often people have to rely on unprotected wells, lakes and other open water sources that are highly susceptible to contamination.

Project Outcome

The project, run by Zoba Debub Community, repairs the community's critical water infrastructure and ensures that the hand pumps provide clean, safe water. Community members assist technicians in the repair and maintenance of the hand pump through specific training given to a Water Resource Committee who are responsible for managing the boreholes. Providing a clean water source has eliminated the need to boil water, displacing the use of firewood and the subsequent smoke pollution; and thereby improving the health of those responsible for boiling water and their families.

Fact File

🌲 26 project sites across 2 regions

🐦 Provides habitat for local wildlife

💼 Local employment for those living in poverty

Partnership & Certification

Eden Reforestation Furthr Partner Logo White
Eden Reforestation Furthr Partner Logo White

How you can help

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Our Impact to Date

150,000 tonnes CO2e prevented

Project Location Area

SDG Contributions

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Project Pictures

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