Building Water-Smart Communities for Climate Resilience in Gella

In Gella Community of Mubi South Local Government Area, water is more than a resource — it is a lifeline for farming, health, and survival. Yet years of water scarcity, inefficient irrigation, and poor household water practices have placed increasing pressure on livelihoods, especially for women and smallholder farmers.

To address these challenges, Alimat Care Foundation (ACF), with support from UNDP GEF/SGP, conducted a two-day hands-on training aimed at strengthening community capacity in water-efficient agriculture, household water management, sanitation, and hygiene in Gella Community.

Held on 16–19 December, the training brought together 400 community members, with women making up 60% of participants, alongside youth and persons with disabilities. Using participatory learning methods, the sessions blended indigenous knowledge with practical climate-smart solutions tailored to the community’s realities.

Participants learned low-cost rainwater harvesting techniques, simple water purification methods such as sand-and-gravel filtration and solar disinfection, and practical sanitation solutions including tippy-tap handwashing systems. 

The second day focused on water-efficient farming practices such as bucket drip irrigation, mulching, soil moisture testing, zai pits, and contour farming — all designed to improve productivity while conserving water.

Community voices reinforced the urgency of action. Women shared the daily burden of accessing unsafe water, while elders spoke of disappearing water sources and the need to safeguard them for future generations. Through peer learning, selected participants were designated as “Water Champions”, tasked with replicating good practices within their households and neighbourhoods.

By the end of the training, participants left equipped with practical skills, renewed confidence, and a collective commitment to protect water resources and adopt climate-smart agricultural practices that strengthen resilience at household and community levels.