Expanding Access to Clean Water in Myanmar: Life for Relief and Development (LIFE), Summer 2026
When Safe Water Is Hard to Find
Access to clean water remains a serious challenge across Myanmar, particularly in communities affected by displacement and damaged infrastructure. UNICEF reports that 8.9 million people need critical water, sanitation and hygiene services, while more than 40% of households lack safely managed drinking water.
In Rakhine State, dry-season shortages, flooding, and contaminated water sources can make an essential daily need even harder to meet.
Two Hand Pumps Bring Water Within Reach
In June 2026, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) completed two hand-pump water projects in Don Pyin Village, Rakhine State.
The pumps directly serve 18 Rohingya community members, including families with children and older adults, while nearby residents and people passing through the area can also benefit from the available water.
The locations were selected with community input, and residents took part in discussions around the use and continued care of the water sources.
Less Time Searching, More Time Living
Before the installations, families sometimes relied on distant or unsafe water sources. Collecting enough water required time and physical effort, while poor water quality created additional health concerns.
Having water nearby reduces that daily burden. Families can more easily access water for drinking and hygiene, children have more time for school, and caregivers can devote greater attention to their families and livelihoods. Reliable water can also support small-scale agriculture and other activities families depend on.
What One Pump Changed for Sawkinah
Sawkinah is raising seven children on her own in Don Pyin Village. Before the hand pump was installed, finding water was one of her family’s greatest daily challenges, and her children sometimes had to help collect it instead of focusing on school.
After the installation, that changed.
“My seven children... can now spend more time on their education instead of helping to collect water.”
For Sawkinah, having clean water close to home has brought greater relief, improved hygiene and fewer worries about how she will find enough water for her children.
A Difference Shared Beyond One Family
Muhammed lives in the same village with a family of ten, including young children and elderly parents. Previously, the family traveled to distant, unsafe sources of water.
The new hand pump has made clean water easier to reach while reducing the time and effort required to collect it. Muhammed also shared that neighboring families facing similar difficulties are benefiting from the new source.
Every Pump Brings Water a Little Closer
Life for Relief and Development sincerely thanks the donors whose generosity made these two hand pumps possible. Their support has helped replace a difficult daily search for water with safer, more convenient access close to home.
With continued support, LIFE can bring reliable water to more families and give communities more time for health, education and the everyday opportunities that clean water makes possible.
