(RIWOTO, KAPOETA NORTH COUNTY, EASTERN EQUATORIA STATE) – Communities in Kapoeta North County have regained access to water after local volunteers repaired six broken boreholes in the area last week.
The South Sudan Red Cross said its volunteer pump mechanics carried out the repairs in Karukomugei, Naakwa and Wokobu payams in Riwoto, Eastern Equatoria State. The work was reported on 23rd October 2026.
The volunteers gained the skills to repair the boreholes and support their communities when water systems break down through technical training.
For one volunteer, 37 year old Benson, a father of seven, the work means more than repairing boreholes. He was trained by the South Sudan Red Cross in 2024 and has continued to put his skills into practice, helping restore water sources and sharing his knowledge with fellow volunteers.
Benson said seeing his community regain access to water keeps him motivated. The skills he has gained give him the confidence to keep serving his community even beyond the project.
“Whenever I repair a borehole and see my community accessing water again, I feel motivated. These skills will stay with me, and I can continue helping my community even when the project ends,” he said.
The South Sudan Red Cross is carrying out the work through the Music Aid Project, which is supported by the Swedish Red Cross.
The organisation said it continues to strengthen local capacity, giving volunteers practical skills that help communities restore their water sources and sustain access to water in the future.
The repair work comes as the organisation works to improve water safety across the country.
According to a Red Cross press release, when communities receive water during an emergency, they need to know it is safe to drink. That is why proper water testing and treatment are important to keeping people healthy.
From 12th to 14th October 2026, 20 staff and volunteers from Bentiu, Malakal, Renk, Bor and Juba took part in a Water Quality and Treatment Training of Trainers.
The participants are involved in emergency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and public health response activities. The training was supported by the Swedish Red Cross.
The course strengthened their skills in testing, treating and monitoring water quality to help ensure the water provided to communities meets the required safety standards.
Beyond the training, Red Cross said participants can take these skills back to their branches and share what they have learned with other colleagues and volunteers. This helps more teams put safe water practices into action when communities need them most.
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