Ragiampun community in Morobe face water crisis

Families in Ragiampun village in Umi LLG, Markham District, Morobe province, are walking up to 15 minutes to the Yati River for water after their main community pump stopped working.

The pump served Ragiampun and nearby communities for more than 30 years, providing water for drinking, cooking, washing and gardens.

Residents are now calling on their local leaders to act, saying the lack of a reliable water supply is putting pressure on families, particularly young people who carry water home.

Ward 12 recorder Charles Edward Nario said the community needs a long-term solution.

He has called on the Ward 12 and Ward 13 councillors, Umi LLG and Markham District authorities to work with residents to provide a water tank and pumping system.

“Clean and reliable water is a basic service,” Nario said.