By Thaimu T. Kamara
Residents of Mile 91 town, a key settlement in Tonkolili District, continue to grapple with a prolonged lack of access to clean and safe drinking water an everyday crisis that has deepened health risks, widened social inequalities, and ignited growing calls from young people for inclusion in decision-making processes.
For many families in Mile 91, daily survival depends on shallow, unprotected wells that are often contaminated. In low-income sections of the town, residents have little choice but to consume water of questionable quality, exposing them to serious health hazards. Local health workers warn that unsafe water remains a major driver of preventable diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrheal infections, with children and the elderly most at risk.
“We drink what we find,” said Aminata Koroma, a long-time resident of Mile 91. “Sometimes the water smells, but we have no alternative. If you don’t drink it, you don’t survive.”
Community clinics in the area report frequent cases of waterborne illnesses, adding pressure to already overstretched healthcare services. Health officials say many of these illnesses could be drastically reduced if reliable and safe water systems were available.
Despite the water crisis, development actors have made notable contributions in parts of Tonkolili District. Miro Forestry Company, which operates in and around Mile 91, has supported several community initiatives, including road construction, school development, water facilities in selected areas, tree planting programs, and employment opportunities across different fields.
While these interventions have brought tangible benefits, community members argue that access to clean and consistent water has not been evenly distributed, leaving many households in Mile 91 still dependent on unsafe sources.
Development experts note that such disparities are common in marginalized communities, where poverty, geographic location, and limited political representation often result in exclusion from major infrastructure projects.
The water shortage disproportionately affects women and girls, who shoulder the primary responsibility of fetching water for household use. Many walk long distances each day, a task that consumes time, drains energy, and, in the case of girls, frequently interferes with school attendance and learning outcomes. For women, the burden limits opportunities for income-generating activities, reinforcing cycles of poverty.
As the crisis persists, young people in Mile 91 are stepping forward as vocal advocates for change. Youth-led groups are organizing awareness campaigns, engaging community leaders, and demanding inclusion in planning and policy discussions related to water and sanitation.
“Clean water is not a privilege; it is a right,” said Mohammed Muckson Sesay, a youth activist from the community. “If young people are included, we can help design solutions that actually work for our communities and last for the future.”
According to the United Nations, more than two billion people globally still lack access to safely managed drinking water, with the poorest and most marginalized communities bearing the greatest burden. Development agencies emphasize that youth inclusion is critical to achieving sustainable and long-term water solutions, as young people bring innovation, energy, and local insight to community challenges.
Environmental and public health experts warn that the situation could worsen if urgent action is not taken. Climate change, population growth, and aging infrastructure are expected to intensify water shortages across vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone and beyond.
They are calling on government authorities, development partners, and private sector actors to invest in reliable water systems, prioritize neglected communities like Mile 91, and adopt inclusive policies that amplify the voices of youths and marginalized residents.
For families in Mile 91 living without clean water, the demand is both simple and urgent: safe water is not a luxury it is essential for health, dignity, and the future of the community.