The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) contains more than fifty percent of the water reserves of Africa. The mighty river Congo and hundreds of other lesser rivers crisscross the beautiful countryside here. But, despite this huge potential, water scarcity is a major issue all over the country.
Millions of people in rural areas do not have access to pure water in DRC. In fact, major cities like Lubumbashi and Kinshasa also have limited access to quality water. The situation has somewhat improved in the past couple of years, but the problems have not been solved.
Widespread waterborne diseases in the country
The main issue associated with the lack of safe water is the spread of waterborne and related diseases. One in five children dies in this country before they reach five years of age. Diarrhea and other waterborne diseases are responsible for these child deaths.
The lack of access to pure water in Congo also causes chronic malnutrition in kids below the age of five. Though malnutrition has a number of causes, issues with water quality and access is one of the main causes. Sanitation facilities and the inability to follow the basic norms of personal hygiene are also related to access to water.
At present, cholera is endemic in the country. Over five million people are at risk of getting Cholera each year. It has also been battling an Ebola outbreak since 2018. A lot of these diseases can be prevented by improving access to safe water.
The Healthy School and Village program by UNICEF
UNICEF has launched a nationwide program in Congo, called ‘Healthy School and Village.’ The project aims to prevent waterborne diseases, like diarrhea. Over seven million people have already benefited from this program, and many more will benefit from it in the future. Health centers have been included in the program since 2018.
Also, UNICEF supports DRC’s fight against cholera. It has increased access to pure water in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Water treatment products have also been made available. Several water points have also been rehabilitated by UNICEF. Works are also on for improving water and sanitation facilities all over the country. The organization has also paid attention to curbing the spread of diseases.
Other activities to improve access to safe water
The DRC Humanitarian Fund is also allocating funds to improve the conditions in rural areas. It has helped many organizations play an important role in emergency healthcare, water provision, and hygiene promotion in small communities.
Oxfam is such an organization that is working to improve awareness of water treatment and disease control. It has distributed water purification tablets and raised public awareness on disease control. Oxfam mainly works in schools, hospitals, churches, and other public places.
Another notable organization is the Adventist Development and Relief Agency. Since May 2016, they have set up their mobile cholera treatment clinic on a canoe in the Mbandaka region of Equateur Province. It is a small clinic with one bed, medicines, and other equipment. But, it treats over two hundred patients on an average per month.
The future outlook for the Democratic Republic of Congo
A lot of work has been done to improve access to pure water in DRC Africa. Efforts from different organizations have increased access to safe water and improved sanitation facilities. However, this is only the beginning of the change that the Democratic Republic of Congo needs at present. A lot of work is yet to be done in the area in order to meet the basic safe water and sanitation requirements.