PERSONS with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly in Binga, Matabeleland North province, are seeking urgent government intervention to alleviate the current water crisis which has led to unbearable conditions that come with accessing the precious liquid.
This comes as villagers from Pashu area in Binga are walking over 4km to fetch water, with some digging holes along riverbeds in search of the precious liquid.
In an interview, the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) director Lizzie Longshaw said the PWDs and the elderly were the most affected as they fail to access the treasured liquid for their daily consumption.
She told Southern Eye that an elderly woman has neglected bathing and washing her clothes as she is only able to access five litres of water daily.
“One of our members, an old woman, is no longer washing her clothes. She is no longer taking a bath because there is no water. She walks 4km to go and get five litres of water, not even enough for cooking. But she makes sure that the five litres helps her to cook and have some water to drink,” Longshaw said.
She added that the woman makes the trip to the water sources early in the morning only to return later in the day or evening.
Longshaw said some villagers had resorted to scooping wells, where they tie buckets on long ropes to draw water, although this does not help PWDs .
She appealed to government and other stakeholders to come to assist the villagers.
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“We are suggesting and appealing to government, other agencies and corporate world to assist our members in Binga with boreholes so that water will be nearer; a car for social workers to have programmes so that they go inland and register people with disabilities for assistance,” she said.
“Even some elderly people would require that service because it is an uphill task for anyone to go to Binga centre due to lack of money for transport.
“Even if one decides to walk, the distance is just too long. If anyone is hearing me, please we are appealing for assistance, remember water is life.”
