ZOR GEIPA, Aug. 13 -- More than 3,000 residents of Zor Geipa, a remote town in Yekepa District, Nimba County, are forced to walk 30 minutes each day to fetch water from an unsafe creek - their only source of drinking water - putting them at constant risk of waterborne diseases.

Perched beneath the East Nimba Reserved Forest, Zor Geipa lies in the home county of Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung and Senators Samuel Kogar and Nyan Twayen. Yet, locals say they have been without safe drinking water for years, with broken hand pumps left unrepaired and no toilet facilities in the town.

"We often get sick because of the creek," said resident Prince Gbormie. "During the dry season it dries up, and when the rains come, the whole town suffers fr...