A Ripple of Hope: Saleri’s Journey to Water Security
The Weight of Scarcity
In the sun-baked plains of Saleri, a rural community nestled within Majakura ward of Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe State, life moved to the rhythm of relentless struggle. For Mallam Sani Salihu, a 56-year-old farmer and father of sixteen, the greatest burden wasn’t the scorching sun or the harsh soil, but the persistent, aching thirst. His family, like nearly 2,500 other individuals in Saleri, lived with the constant challenge of accessing clean, and safe water. Of the five water points meant to serve the entire community, only one was barely functional, a testament to years of neglect and the harsh realities of a region grappling with humanitarian crises.
Before dawn, Mallam Sani would often see his children, sometimes as young as five, embarking on the arduous journey to fetch water. It was a trek of up to 500 meters, taking over two hours, a precious chunk of their day stolen from learning, playing, or simply being children. This daily ritual of survival was not unique to Saleri; According to the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), Yobe State continues to face severe humanitarian challenges, particularly in the health and WASH sectors. As of early 2025, 31% of health facilities in the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe) are non-operational, with Yobe experiencing critical gaps in access to basic services.
According to UNICEF 2025 quarter one sitrep, the WASH sector remains underfunded, with only 2% of the required funding for safe water access secured as of Q1 2025. This has led to widespread service disruptions, especially in primary healthcare centers (PHCs), where many facilities lack functional water points, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene stations. Water-borne diseases were a grim constant, filling the community’s Kakori and Majakura primary healthcare centres with sick children, many suffering from severe acute malnutrition exacerbated by contaminated water.
The despair was palpable. Productivity plummeted, as time spent on water collection meant less time for farming, childcare, or attending school. The very essence of life felt out of reach. It was into this landscape of urgent need that the Global Emergency Nutrition Response Program II (GENRP II) a project which launched in March 2024, stepped in. Spearheaded by Action Against Hunger (ACF) and generously funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), this vital initiative aimed to transform lives through sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions. Their arrival in Saleri brought not just the promise of relief, but the spark of empowerment.
The Seeds of Empowerment
ACF’s approach was not simply to deliver aid, but to cultivate self-reliance. The intervention was multisectoral and integrated. In Saleri it began with the rehabilitation of one of the community’s critical water points, breathing new life into a dilapidated hand pump. But the true heart of the project lay in its strategic foresight: the formation and rigorous training of a community-led Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM). Mallam Sani, with his deep understanding of his community’s struggles and his inherent leadership qualities, was elected Chairman. He, alongside other dedicated men and women, underwent comprehensive training on the operation, maintenance, and management of WASH infrastructure.
Rehabilitated hand pump by WASH committee
“The training was an eye-opener,” Mallam Sani recalled, his eyes reflecting a newfound determination. “We learned not just how a pump works, but how to identify problems, how to fix them, and most importantly, how to take ownership of our own resources.” ACF’s commitment extended beyond knowledge transfer; they equipped the WASH Committee with essential borehole maintenance tools, turning abstract lessons into tangible capabilities. This wasn’t just about fixing a pump; it was about equipping a community with the power to shape its own destiny.
Community artisan with maintenance tool box supported by ACF
The true testament to this empowerment came swiftly. Emboldened by their newfound knowledge and the tools in their hands, Mallam Sani rallied his community. There was another non-functional borehole in Saleri, a symbol of past neglect, sitting dormant. With the skills gained from ACF, the WASH committee conducted their own assessment, diagnosed the issues, and formulated a rehabilitation plan. This was no longer an external project; it was Saleri’s project. Through collective effort, and an incredible community contribution of NGN 168,400 – a significant sum for a rural farming village – the necessary materials were procured.
“With the skills we received at ACF training and donation of maintenance tools we have been able to make community contribution of NGN 168,400 and repair another hand pump at our community having more water point in our community, thank you ACF,” Mallam Sani proudly stated, his voice a blend of gratitude and self-satisfaction.
A Future Flowing with Hope
The rehabilitation of the second borehole was a pivotal moment for Saleri. It was a triumph not just of engineering, but of community spirit and resilience. The immediate impact was profound: the number of functional water points in Saleri doubled, dramatically increasing access to clean, safe drinking water for thousands. The agonizing long walks to fetch water became a fading memory, replaced by a sense of ease and dignity.
“Before the coming of Action Against Hunger’s intervention, my children had to spend about 2 hours in collecting water from the hand pump,” Mallam Sani recounted, a faint smile replacing the earlier weariness in his eyes. “Now, that time is saved. They can go to school, they can play, they can be children.”
In Yobe, only 23% of WASH partners are actively supporting, reflecting the impact of reduced donor support. Disease outbreaks such as cholera and meningitis have further strained the system, with 348 suspected meningitis cases and 10 deaths reported across 16 LGAs (UNICEF Humanitarian Sitrep Quarter 1). The situation is compounded by displacement, insecurity, and climate shocks, including flooding, which have disrupted livelihoods and increased vulnerability UNOCHA Situation Report, February 2025).
In this community, the newfound access to water has rippled through every aspect of life in Saleri. The incidence of water-borne diseases has significantly reduced, easing the burden on local health facilities and allowing children to grow healthier. Productivity has soared; farmers can dedicate more time to their fields, mothers to caring for their young, and children to their studies. The community now has greater resilience against future WASH challenges, equipped with the knowledge and tools to maintain their infrastructure independently.
The story of Saleri is more than just a tale of boreholes and water pumps; it is a powerful narrative of human potential. It showcases how targeted interventions, like the Global Emergency Nutrition Response Program II (GENRP II) implemented by Action Against Hunger (ACF) with generous support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), can ignite community ownership and foster sustainable change. Mallam Sani Salihu and the dedicated WASH Committee of Saleri stand as living proof that with the right support, communities can not only overcome their most pressing challenges but also build a brighter, healthier future for themselves, one precious drop at a time. The echoes of the hand pump, now vibrant and strong, resonate with the hope of a community empowered.
