Safe Water for Displaced Kids in Northern, Nigeria

Ortese, in Guma LGA, has endured years of devastating herder-farmer conflict. Entire communities were forced to flee, leaving their homes, schools, and infrastructure in ruins. Now, as families begin to return in hopes of rebuilding their lives, they face a new crisis: the total absence of safe, accessible water. The only sources available are streams polluted by recurring floods and the lack of proper sanitation—posing grave risks to everyone, especially children.

The scale of displacement is staggering. According to Amnesty International, by December 2024, more than 500,182 people had sought refuge in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across Benue State to escape the violence. Even as they return, the struggle continues. UNICEF’s June 2025 update reveals that 76% of households in Benue’s IDP sites still face severe challenges accessing enough water, while 51% are forced to rely on unsafe streams or shallow wells. The health consequences are dire: Nigeria’s cholera case fatality rate has reached 2.9%, nearly three times the global standard (sources: amnestyusa.org, unicef.org, savethechildren.org.uk).

Clean water is not just about health—it is the foundation for recovery, stability, and peace. Our plan is to install boreholes and filtration systems to provide safe water, establish and train community water committees to maintain these resources, and build handwashing stations to promote hygiene. These steps are essential for restoring well-being, jumpstarting education, and fostering the community’s long-term resilience and peacebuilding efforts.

By funding this project, you help Ortese move beyond survival—laying the groundwork for a thriving, hopeful future. Will you join us in rebuilding Ortese, one drop at a time?

In Ortese, Guma LGA, the simple act of going to school is a daily struggle for many children. The root cause is often overlooked: lack of access to clean water. Instead of spending their days learning, children—especially girls—are forced to spend hours walking long distances to collect water from unsafe sources. The water they bring home is frequently contaminated, leading to repeated bouts of illness that keep them out of the classroom.

The impact is devastating. According to UNICEF, over 70,000 Nigerian children under five lose their lives each year due to poor access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). In the Benue IDP camps, the statistics are alarming: 84% of households report that the water they can access is insufficient for daily needs, and 86% of families are forced to practice open defecation due to a lack of proper facilities. These conditions lead to the rapid spread of preventable diseases and create barriers to education that are especially steep for girls, who shoulder the majority of water collection duties (sources: businessday.ng, unicef.org).

We believe there is a better way to move forward. By installing boreholes, filtration units, and handwashing stations in Ortese’s schools, and by providing community hygiene training, we can help ensure that children stay healthy and can attend class every day. Clean water means fewer sick days, greater dignity, and a real shot at a brighter future for every child.

When you invest in water for Ortese, you invest in literacy, dignity, and hope. Can we count on your support this July to help transform education for these children?