In Yangon’s informal settlements, water has become increasingly hard to come by.
The city’s population has grown rapidly as people escape conflict, putting a heavy burden on its infrastructure. With just six per cent of homes having access to piped water, most residents depend on costly or unreliable sources to meet their needs. As inflation climbs and incomes stagnate, safe drinking water is becoming an unaffordable luxury for many families.
Yet in the midst of these challenges, a quiet transformation is taking place – one that starts with a simple idea: collecting rain.
Clean water, big change
Thida, a 14-year-old student living in one of Yangon’s peri-urban areas, used to worry every day about the water she drank at school. “Before, we had to bring water from home because the water here was not safe to drink,” she recalls. “Now, we can drink the water from the tank. We don’t have to worry about getting sick.”
Thida is referring to the “Tametotto” rainwater harvesting tank, an innovative solution introduced to Myanmar by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Japanese company Daiken Corporation. This project, officially named “Building resilience against COVID-19 through WASH and waste management support in urban informal settlements,” may sound complex, but its impact is straightforward: it is making water safe, affordable, and accessible for some of the city’s most vulnerable people.
The power of a simple idea
The “Tametotto” tank, capable of storing over 150 tons of water, is unlike anything Yangon has seen before. Installed at schools in the city’s informal settlements, these tanks collect and filter rainwater, providing a clean supply throughout the year – even during the dry months when water is scarcest. For Thida and her fellow students – nearly 12,000 in total – the tanks mean they no longer have to carry water from home or risk drinking from unsafe sources.
The tanks – 10 so far in total – have changed more than just the way people access water. For the communities involved, the project represents a new way of thinking about how they manage their resources. U San Win, a community mobilizer, has been deeply involved in the initiative from the beginning. “The Tametotto tank is incredibly efficient and easy to maintain,” he says. “We trained the communities and teachers on how to manage the system, and they did an excellent job. It was rewarding to see how this simple solution made such a big difference.”
Building a community of change
The project was designed with the community at its heart. UN-Habitat worked closely with local groups to ensure that everyone had a voice in the process. Schools were selected based on specific criteria, and decision-making power was handed over to the communities themselves. By `School Work Support Committees, made up of township education officers, school leaders, teachers, and parents, the project fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility among the residents.
This participatory approach was key to the project’s success. By involving local people in every step – from the design and installation to the management and maintenance of the tanks – UN-Habitat ensured the solution was both effective and sustainable. Training sessions were held to build the community’s capacity to manage the system. As a result, participants developed water safety plans based on risk management principles, creating a framework that would help them maintain the system for years to come.
Beyond water: A brighter future
The benefits of this initiative extend beyond clean water. For Thida and her classmates, the tanks have meant better health, fewer absences, and a safer school environment. For their parents, it has meant one less worry amid the many challenges of daily life in an informal settlement. For U San Win and other community leaders, it has brought a renewed sense of hope and possibility.
Ms. Catarina Camarinhas, Acting Country Programme Manager for UN-Habitat in Myanmar, sees the project as a model for other vulnerable communities. “Innovative solutions can make a world of difference for the most vulnerable communities. UN-Habitat stands committed to act for humanity and will continue to work towards improving community resilience,” she says.
A model for change
As this low-tech and cost-effective solution continues to roll out across Myanmar, the project is proving that with the right support and technology, even the most vulnerable communities can achieve a healthier, more sustainable future. It’s a powerful example of how a simple idea – collecting rain – can transform lives and build a brighter, healthier future.
