Moravian Mission
ATTA UPDATE
Communities
Filter Distributions |
Community |
Filter Quantity |
4/21/2023 |
Tumtum Tara |
159 |
10/11/2023 |
Tumtum Tara |
50 |
10/12/2023 |
Warunta |
200 |
1/30/2024 |
Pakwi |
252 |
2/3/2024 |
Ras |
260 |
4/22/2024 |
Kuhrpa |
220 |
Map
Summary of data collected:
- 1141 Filters distributed in 5 communities.
- Impact: Clean water for over 6,900 people
- Survey Data:
- Average age of survey respondents: 40 years old
- Water collection time per day: 4 trips per day with each trip taking an average of 20 minutes. Either a child or adult female makes the trips to collect the water.
- Majority water source: unprotected well, rainwater
- Health Rates:
- Diarrhea Rates and Stomach Problems: 40% reported diarrhea and 32% reported other stomach problems such as upset stomach and nausea.
- Fever: 37% reported fever and fatigue
- Worms: 10% reported visual worms
- Other Symptoms: 47% reported respiratory challenges and 34% reported regular headaches
- Social impact: On average, someone in each household misses school or work 1 day a week.
- Follow Up Data: In January 2024, a total of 126 follow-up visits were conducted in Warunta. Interviews conducted during these follow-ups revealed that the incidence of diarrhea had risen to 68% among the individuals interviewed. Notably, at the time of the initial distribution, this particular community had reported a diarrhea rate of 55%. The observed increase in diarrhea rates is presumed to be attributed to widespread viral infections rather than waterborne causes.
Analysis:
The distribution of 1,141 water filters across 5 communities in La Mosquitia has yielded significant positive impacts, particularly in addressing water-related health issues and improving overall well-being. With these filters, over 6,900 individuals now have access to clean water, marking a substantial improvement in their quality of life.
Survey data gathered from the communities further highlights the severity of the water-related challenges prior to the distribution. The average age of survey respondents being 40 years old indicates a broad representation across different age groups within the communities. The data revealing that individuals, particularly children and adult females, spent an average of 20 minutes per trip collecting water from unprotected wells or rainwater underscores the laborious and time-consuming nature of water collection prior to the intervention.
Moreover, the health impact data paints a concerning picture, with high percentages of families reporting incidences of diarrhea within the past two weeks. Additionally, a significant portion of respondents rated their health or that of their household members as "poor," citing symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, upset stomach, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches attributed to waterborne illnesses. These findings underscore the urgent need for access to clean water to mitigate health risks and improve overall well-being.
Furthermore, the social impact of the water filter distribution is evident, with data indicating that someone in each household misses school or work approximately one day per week due to water-related health issues. This not only affects individual productivity but also has broader socio-economic implications for the communities, including potential barriers to education and economic opportunities.
In conclusion, the distribution of water filters in La Mosquitia has been instrumental in addressing critical water challenges, reducing the burden of waterborne illnesses, and improving overall health outcomes. Moving forward, continued support and investment in sustainable water infrastructure and initiatives are essential to ensure long-term benefits for these communities.