NAZARETH, Paraguay, 12 November 2007 -- Like many communities in Paraguay's semi-arid region, Nazareth receives nearly all of its rain between the months of November and March. During this time, safe drinking water is plentiful. But once the rains stop, families must either walk great distances to fetch water or drink from possibly contaminated sources.UNICEF's response to this threat to childhood survival is a simple system that allows each family to divert the heavy rains during the wet season and store water through the drier months of the year. Rain falls on the roof and runs into metal gutters that funnel it into a long pipe. The water collects in a large, covered well dug into the ground. A simple handpump allows each family to access water whenever it is needed. UNICEF has installed 20 such rainwater-harvesting systems and is working with the Government of Paraguay to expand the programme into other areas.To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/p...

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