The CARITAS Diocese of Buea, through its WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Department, has been implementing a transformative project titled “Access to Safe Drinking Water and the Fight Against Cholera Epidemic”, which began in October 2024 and is set to run until August 2027. This initiative was born out of the urgent need to address the devastating impact of the socio-political crisis in the Southwest Region of Cameroon, especially in the Fako Division, where communities have been left vulnerable and underserved. The primary goal of this project is to restore dignity, promote public health, and strengthen the resilience of affected populations by improving access to clean drinking water and minimizing the risk of cholera outbreaks and other waterborne diseases.

The project takes a holistic approach by combining infrastructure development with robust community engagement and education. In the communities of Idenau and Muea, the implementation has already shown significant and inspiring results. In Idenau, a borehole was successfully drilled, marking a major milestone in delivering safe water to the population. To ensure regular water access, a 5,000-liter water storage tank was mounted on a newly constructed tower, and a solar-powered pumping system was installed, making the water system both sustainable and environmentally friendly. This has drastically reduced the community’s dependence on unsafe water sources and has improved the overall quality of life.

Parallel efforts in Muea mirror the progress in Idenau. A new borehole was constructed and a similar tower and tank system were installed to distribute water effectively across the neighborhood. In both locations, 50 community members were trained in community leadership, humanitarian principles, and hygiene promotion, resulting in 100 trained local WASH champions so far. These individuals are equipped to promote healthy behaviors, manage water systems sustainably, and mobilize their communities toward long-term change. Beyond infrastructure, the project is building human capital and reinforcing community ownership, which are key to its sustainability.

The project has set ambitious targets, including the construction of 12 boreholes, formation of 12 water management committees, installation of 12 water tanks, and the training of 600 community members in hygiene and water safety. It also plans to distribute thousands of sanitation items such as buckets with and without covers, cutlasses, trash cans, security jackets, and hygiene tools like rakes and wheelbarrows to aid in environmental sanitation efforts. Moreover, 12 income-generating activities will be initiated to support the management of water facilities and enhance livelihoods. The use of visibility signboards, administrative materials, and continuous monitoring will ensure transparency, community accountability, and measurable impact.

CARITAS, through this project, is not only bringing clean water to crisis-affected communities but is also empowering them to become custodians of their own wellbeing. By intertwining physical infrastructure with education and behavioral change, the initiative is promoting health, restoring dignity, and fostering a spirit of self-reliance. The work being done in Idenau and Muea serves as a blueprint for wider implementation and a testament to what is possible when humanitarian love meets sustainable development.