New York, July 2 -- In Tigray Region, Yichella town, Emba Rufael kebele, access to water has long been a daily challenge. For many families, getting water meant walking long distances and spending hours each day on the task. The northern conflict further worsened the situation by damaging already existing water supply systems.

For years, that search defined Tibletse Heluf's life. She collected water from a river more than two hours away. The journey was difficult, especially during the rainy season when the road became slippery and unsafe. Even after reaching the river, there was no certainty of getting water. At times, flooding made it impossible to collect any, and she would return home with empty jerrycans.

The time spent fetching wa...