Blog #7 Clean Water and Sanitation: Nicaragua

 


In this week’s blog, I am focusing on a country located in Central America known as Nicaragua. Nicaragua is the largest and one of the poorest countries in Central America and is home to 6.22 million people (Water for People, 2019). The population consists of Spanish and indigenous backgrounds, and most families live off of cash and farming crops. Nicaragua joined the United Nations on October 24, 1945 (UN, 2020). Over the years, Nicaragua’s mountainous location has presented a challenge on the development of infrastructure for a functioning water and sanitation system. Furthermore, access to clean water and sanitation services depends on the urban and rural areas of Nicaragua. For instance, 60% of the population in rural areas have access to basic water services, and 62% of the population in rural areas have access to basic sanitation services (Water for People, 2020).

The goal of clean water and sanitation has been implemented through various organizations. This country has made this a priority and many organizations are working to improve this issue. The Inter-American Development Bank (IBD) and Water for People are a few of the organizations that are monitoring and working with the government of Nicaragua to improve access to clean water and sanitation. Furthermore, climate change has played a role in Nicaragua’s water and sanitation issues. This country is situated in the “Dry Corridor” of Central America, leaving it exposed to heavy drought which makes it hard for water pickup.

The Inter-American Development Bank has loaned 11 Nicaraguan cites a total of $72 million for better access to water and sanitation facilities. It is expected to bring clean drinking water to 65,000 people and benefit 31,000 with new sewage networks (IABD, 2017). Water for People is a nonprofit organization that is helping Nicaraguans bring water, sanitation, and hygiene to their communities since 2008. This organization works with district governments to construct water pipes and ensure its sustainability. Also, they have partnered with local microfinance institutions that will offer loans for sanitation improvement. These loans are for families who can’t afford better bathrooms, and they use the loan to invest in safer sanitation for their families.

References

Clean Water in Nicaragua: Where We Work. (2020, February 10). Retrieved from https://www.waterforpeople.org/nicaragua/

Nicaragua to expand access to urban water and sanitation services with IDB support. (2017, November 30). Retrieved from https://www.iadb.org/en/news/news-releases/2017-11-30/water-and-sanitation-in-nicaragua,11978.html


Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 15, 2020 at 7:33 PM

    I have always wondered how mountain driven countries build their cities on them. It looks like you have to have a lot of money in order to pull that off. It is really sad to see that poor counties are just left to struggle. I like that the Inter-American Development Bank is helping them out.

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