Stories
October 28, 2025 • 2 min read
In Tigray’s drought-prone Hintalo district, GOAL is restoring hope through solar-powered water systems that are transforming access to safe water. With US government’s generous support, communities in Hintalo district are replacing broken hand pumps with efficient solar technology, allowing multiple people to collect clean water in minutes. Residents like 54-year-old Letay Adis say the change has ended years of hardship.
Tigray, a northern region of Ethiopia, has long faced chronic water shortages due to erratic rainfall, inadequate infrastructure, and environmental degradation. Many rural communities rely on basic, often unreliable sources to meet their daily needs. Women and girls frequently shoulder the burden of water collection, walking long distances and waiting in line for hours at limited access points.
Impact of Conflict on Water Access:
The situation worsened significantly during the two-year armed conflict that broke out in late 2020. The war devastated local infrastructure, leaving water systems damaged or nonfunctional. Many communities were cut off from basic services, including water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. The destruction compounded the hardship of accessing safe drinking water and increased the risk of waterborne diseases.
GOAL’s Intervention in Hintalo District:
GOAL has been working across Tigray to improve access to clean water by rehabilitating damaged systems and introducing solar-powered technologies. In Hagere Selam kebele of Hintalo district, GOAL identified a struggling community with a single hand pump serving only a few people at a time and requiring significant manual effort.
Letay Adis, a 54-year-old resident, recalls the difficulty: “Previously, there was a poorly functioning water pump. It took over 30 minutes to fill jerricans. There was only one outlet, so everyone had to wait their turn. Elderly and disabled members of the community often needed help; otherwise, they couldn’t get water at all,” Letay shared.
With the US government’s support, GOAL enhanced the water point by installing a solar-powered pumping system. This upgrade now allows up to 6 people to collect clean water in minutes. The community contributed land, labour, and materials, ensuring local ownership and sustainability.
Letay expressed her appreciation for the new system: “Now all the suffering is over. Anyone can come to the water point, turn the tap, and access the precious water we’ve long needed. It’s a crucial support for our community, and we’re truly grateful.”
Beyond Letay’s village, GOAL has expanded its intervention to other parts of Hintalo district. Multiple water points have been constructed, and three non-functional shallow wells fitted with hand pumps have been upgraded with solar-powered water systems to ensure uninterrupted access to clean water.
