Bringing Clean Water Closer to Persons with Disabilities in Quang Tri

Clean water is an essential necessity in daily life. However, in some mountainous, remote, and rural areas of Quang Tri Province, access to clean water remains challenging. Local residents mainly rely on gravity-fed water from streams, rivers, or other natural sources. In many areas, the water is contaminated with alum or is turbid, affecting household activities and health. These difficulties are even more pronounced for persons with disabilities and Agent Orange victims due to mobility limitations, health conditions, or financial constraints. Travelling to collect water, carrying it home, or accessing safe water sources may require regular assistance from family members, increasing the burden of daily activities and affecting their independence.

To help address these challenges, under the project "Improving the Quality of Life of Persons with Disabilities in Quang Tri Province, 2026", funded by Green Cross Switzerland (GCCH) through ACDC, activities to improve access to clean water have been implemented across the province. Based on surveys of household needs and actual conditions, the project has provided support to 28 households of persons with disabilities and Agent Orange victims, as well as 9 centralized clean water facilities in the following areas: Ta Ri 2 Village (Khe Sanh Commune), Vung Kho Village (Dakrong Commune), Hieu Giang, Trieu Co, Ben Hai, Gio Linh, Ai Tu, Vinh Thuy, Vinh Linh, and Cam Lo.

Local residents in Quang Tri receive guidance on protecting water sources and using and managing the clean water supply system after handover

Support has been provided in flexible forms tailored to the actual conditions of each household and facility, including well drilling, installation of water filtration systems at source, connection to clean water supply systems, and installation of household water purifiers. Notably, in Ta Ri 2 Village, Khe Sanh Commune, where many persons with disabilities reside, the project supported the drilling of a well and construction of a water supply system, with water pipelines and electrical wiring connected directly to the homes of 14 households. Previously, local residents mainly relied on natural water sources from rivers and streams. Collecting and using water was particularly difficult for persons with disabilities and family members with mobility limitations. The completed facility has provided more convenient access to water for daily use while helping reduce the difficulties households face in accessing clean water.

On 27 October 2026, the project organized an activity entitled "Handover of Clean Water Facilities and Guidance on Their Use, Operation, Maintenance, and Local Water Environment Protection". During the event, local residents received practical instructions on using and operating the water supply systems, electrical safety, and identifying and handling common minor problems that may arise during use. The project also provided community guidance on practical topics, including protecting water sources, using water economically and appropriately, environmental protection and hygiene, as well as managing, operating, and maintaining the facilities after handover.

Through these activities, local residents have not only gained access to clean water but have also acquired the knowledge and skills needed to proactively manage, use, and maintain the facilities effectively over the long term. This also provides an important foundation for strengthening community responsibility in protecting water sources and preserving the local living environment.

Behind every clean water facility are stories of hardship, long waiting periods, and the joy of households finally gaining access to safer and more convenient water for their daily needs.

A wheelchair user accesses water for daily use at home, with support from a family member and the presence of an ACDC staff member

Ms. T.T.G. from Trieu Co Commune shared: "I currently live alone. The water from my household's drilled well is heavily contaminated with alum, so I can only use it for bathing and washing clothes. Even so, the poor water quality frequently causes my skin to itch and feel uncomfortable. Every week, I have to ask my grandchild for help or ride my adapted tricycle to a neighbour's house to bring clean water home for drinking and cooking. It is very difficult. Since receiving support from the project to install a water filtration system at source, I now have clean water available right in my home. I am so happy and grateful. My sincere thanks to the project."

For a household with a family member with a disability, the lack of clean water has also made daily care considerably more difficult. A representative of Ms. N.T.T. 's family shared: "Our household's drilled well has been in use for many years and has now run dry. During the summer, we have no water for daily use, making it extremely difficult to care for our child, T., as our family has to provide all the care. We were very happy to receive support from the project. Although drilling a well in our area was extremely difficult, the construction team made every effort and persevered until the work was completed. On the day water became available, my husband hurried to brew a pot of tea. We were so delighted because the water tasted really good! Thank you to the project and the construction team for supporting our family."

The joy of having access to clean water was also reflected in the sharing of a household in Vung Kho Village, Dakrong Commune: "We are very happy to have received support from the project for a well and water filtration system. Previously, our family mainly relied on gravity-fed water from an upstream source. However, during the summer, the water often ran dry, while during the rainy and flood seasons, it became muddy and contaminated, making it unusable. This caused many difficulties for daily activities and caring for the child with a disability in our family. With this new well, our family will use the water sparingly to ensure a long-term supply."

Project representatives and local residents gather for a group photo at a project-supported clean water supply facility in Quang Tri

These simple yet deeply moving stories demonstrate the practical value of clean water support activities. For many households, this is not simply about having an additional water source; it represents a meaningful change in daily life. Families no longer have to struggle to travel long distances to collect water, worry less about shortages during the dry season, avoid relying on unsafe water sources, and have better conditions for caring for their family members.

The completion and handover of these clean water facilities not only help improve immediate living conditions but also bring meaningful changes to local residents' lives. In particular, for persons with disabilities and households with members with disabilities, having water brought closer to their homes reduces barriers to accessing water for daily use, increases their ability to manage their own needs, and improves their everyday living conditions.

Translator: Dac Thanh