Saybah Town In Bong County Faces Alarming Health Risks Due To Lack Of Safe Drinking Water After 17 Decades
April 14, 2025
BONG: Saybah Town, a community established in 1958, is confronting a major health crisis as it grapples with a severe lack of safe drinking water. Home to over 300 residents, the town has never had access to a single hand pump, leaving its inhabitants dependent on a contaminated open well for drinking water.
This troubling situation has raised serious health concerns among residents, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women. Flomo T. Saybah, a local elder and the town’s namesake, expressed the community’s desperation.
“We drink from an open well, and during the rainy season, water from nearby areas washes directly into it, making it dirty and dangerous. We have no choice but to use that same water for drinking,” he explained. This grim reality has led to rising episodes of waterborne diseases, with children aged 2 to 10 being the most affected.
Residents frequently report illnesses such as diarrhea, skin infections, and other serious health issues linked to their unsafe water source. “We regularly get sick because of the water we drink. It is heartbreaking here in Saybah Town,” lamented Flomo.
The elder’s words echo the sentiments of many in the community who are witnessing their loved ones suffer from what should be preventable conditions.
In light of these challenges, the residents have begun to voice their concerns more publicly, urging local officials and humanitarian organizations to act. They are calling for the installation of a hand pump to provide a reliable source of clean water. “Our people are suffering here; we are drinking dirty water daily,” Flomo pleaded, underscoring the urgency of their situation.
As the situation in Saybah Town continues to deteriorate, the residents remain resolute in their appeals for assistance. The severity of the health risks associated with their contaminated water supply has not gone unnoticed, and community gatherings are taking place to discuss ways to bring attention to their plight.
Local leaders have begun reaching out to governmental representatives and NGOs, emphasizing the dire need for immediate intervention. During a recent community meeting, Flomo T. Saybah called for collective action: “We hope that someone can hear our call. Our health is at risk, and we need help now. Installing a hand pump is not just a necessity; it’s a lifesaver for our community.” The emotional weight of his words resonates deeply within the community, which has endured decades without access to clean drinking water.
Moreover, some residents have begun to gather evidence of the dangers posed by their current water source, documenting instances of illness and the conditions of the open well. Their aim is to use this information to appeal to public health organizations for help in addressing the crisis.
The heart-wrenching stories of children falling ill after consuming the contaminated water are difficult to ignore. Local health professionals have also weighed in, stressing that without a reliable source of clean drinking water, the community’s health will likely decline even further. Residents are hopeful that their continued advocacy will yield positive results to secure a hand pump and improve the quality of life.
As they await a response from the government and humanitarian groups, the community of Saybah Town remains united in its struggle for access to safe water. The tragic irony is clear while Saybah Town was established nearly, its residents still face the basic human right of access to clean drinking water.
As this town’s story unfolds, it serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for sustainable water solutions that protect the health and well-being of all citizens. The residents of Saybah Town are not just seeking help; they are advocating for their right to health and life itself.
