Sierra Leone is faced with low access to water and sanitation (WASH) services with 23 per cent of the population having no access to basic water services and approximately 58 per cent of the population uses undeveloped water sources like rivers, dams and unprotected water wells in their daily lives.

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in the rural communities and though there are water wells in some of these communities, the adverse effect of climate change has dried up most wells with some only being functional during the 6 months of the rainy season in the country.

To address these challenges, MSF drilled boreholes, equip with a hand pump system, in seven communities in Tonkolili district to improve water and hygiene practices. These boreholes were built next to the peripheral health units (PHUs) of these communities and are meant to serve as a reliable source of safe water throughout the seasons.