CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0. The Research Context

Household water insecurity experience is felt most in low-income communities during a water services expansion project (Lemaitre et al., 2023). Water is an essential nutrient and psychosocial well-being, a critical component for agricultural production and livestock husbandry and holds significant implications in addressing gender equality and promoting optimal growth and development of children (Mercy Corps, 2009) approximately 630 million people globally lack access to safe managed sanitation services. Household water insecurity the ability to access and benefit from adequate, reliable and safe water for well-being and a healthy life affects billions of people globally, but until recently, few metrics could facilitate its household-level monitoring and evaluation (Jepson et al., 2017; Wutich et al., 2017). Freshwater availability has traditionally been reported at the community, watershed or national level using resources-based metrics that assess freshwater availability at larger geographic scales (Octavianti and Staddon, 2021).

A country like Cameroon with sufficient freshwater availability (ranked 49^th out of 182 countries in terms of abundant water supply) only reported that 47%of its rural population had access to safe water in 2010.  In many major US cities, water rates are unaffordable for low-income households, putting people at risk of water service shutoff (Teodora, 2018). In Canada, one in Five First Nation Communities is on a boil water advisory at any given time (Black and Bean, 2018).

The United Nations (UN) in 2010 declared access to water on human rights. The volume of 50 litres of water was set as the minimum amount per capita per day to lead a healthy and active life. Nevertheless, for around 30% of people worldwide, access to clean drinking water remain a daily struggle, especially for those living in developing countries. Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6) directly intersect with the challenges of household water insecurity Experience as it ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (United Nation, 2015) the specific target within SDG6 align with addressing household water insecurity. Target 6.1 safe and affordable drinking water. In which sustainable development six addressing the need for universal access to safe and affordable. Drinking water, directly targeting the lack of reliable and clean water sources that contribute to water insecurity in households (United Nations, 2015).

By focusing on improved access to adequate and equitable sanitation and Hygiene for all, this target directly addresses challenges related to proper sanitation facilities and their impact on household water-related diseases and hygiene practices (United Nations, 2015). Recognizing the role of water in promoting economy peace and health the reduction of water insecurity status milestone agreement such as the Agenda of 2030 sustainable Development Goal (United Nation Department of Economics and Social Affairs, 2015). In poor setting countries, multiple water sources are often selected based on their pre- established use, with high-quality and generally distant water sources devoted to drinking and cooking, whereas nearby shallow Wells or surface water are used for bathing, Laundry and cleaning. At the individual level, water represents approximately 60%of the body weight and performs several physiological functions such as digestion, thermoregulation, waste elimination and lubrication of joints and organs. But because the human body does not produce enough water from metabolism, adequate water intake is 3.7 litres/day for men and 2.7 litres/day for women is critical in maintaining an ideal body hydration status.

Health organisations’ metric of “access to an improved water source” suggests that water insecurity is far more pervasive than official estimates suggest, particularly in low and middle-income countries (Satherthwaite 2016, 2003, Ngan-yanyuka et al., 2014, onda et al., 2012, Wescoat et al., 2007). Reliable access to water and sewer services is nevertheless a requisite for human development and well-being (Gerick, 1998).

In both local and global areas, researchers have grappled with such infrastructure violence (Rodger and O’Neill 2012) by shedding light on the plight of the water insecure. The household water insecurity Experience scale (Young et al., 2019) evolved out of a long process of re-casting the water insecurity concept such that it serves the goal of equitability and the needs of people. The global household water insecurity study at the North-western University launched in 2017, identifies households with high, medium and low water insecurity using the Household Water Insecurity Experience Scale (HWISE) it is currently implemented as a cross-culturally validated tool in 23 low and middle-income countries.  

In the North West provinces of Cameroon, only 44%of the population had access to clean water in 2004 (WHO, 2006). The rest of the province’s 1.2 million people consume contaminated water and are infected with waterborne disease. Death from waterborne diseases are generally the outcome of dehydration from loss of electrolytes through vomiting or diarrhoea (Fonyuy 2014, Ako et al., 2009 Awah et al., 2013) public health expert acknowledge that “cholera remains a public health concern particularly in the developing countries with lack or inadequate supply of potable water and poor hygiene. Household water insecurity Experience manifesting mostly in communities and household especially. The demand for water for human consumption, sanitation, power, industry, agriculture and livestock and other uses due to fast rate of population growth. This study therefore aims at assessing Household water insecurity Experience in Bamenda III Sub-Division.

1.1.2 Organization Setup of Bamenda III Council

Bamenda III council is arranged in a hierarchical manner as shown on figure 1.1. The council is found in mezam Division in the Northwest region of Cameroon precisely in latitude 6⁰15 and 6⁰25N and longitude 10⁰02 and 10⁰15E of the green which meridian. The Bamenda III council was created in 2007 by presidential decree No. 2007/117 of the 27April 2007. The following person has rolled as mayor prince Ngwa Amadou from the SDF 2007 to 2010, till present. There are 57staffs of the Bamenda III council. The Bamenda III council is headed by the mayor who is assisted by first and second deputy mayors.