Project to build six drinking water wells in six villages.
The Problem of Access to Drinking Water: A Persistent Challenge for Tanganyika Province, DRC
Introduction
Drinking water is a fundamental right for every individual, but in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and more specifically in the province of Tanganyika, this access remains a daily struggle for millions of people. Despite the wealth of water resources in this province located in the southeast of the country, the supply of clean water remains a persistent problem that mainly affects rural and peri-urban areas. The paradox of Tanganyika lies in the fact that although the province is crossed by many rivers and benefits from a climate favorable to irrigation, access to drinking water remains a major challenge for its population.
A province rich in water, but poorly served
Tanganyika Province is blessed with several large lakes, including Lake Tanganyika, one of the largest lakes in Africa, as well as numerous rivers and tributaries. However, despite this abundance of water resources, the provision of potable water is a major problem. This paradox can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of adequate infrastructure, surface water pollution, and water resource management issues.
The causes of lack of access to drinking water
Insufficient and dilapidated infrastructure
The majority of drinking water supply infrastructure in the province is either non-existent or in an advanced state of disrepair. Water distribution networks are often inadequate, especially in rural areas and areas far from urban centres such as Kalemie, Moba and other localities in the province. Existing wells and standpipes are too few in number, poorly maintained or non-functional.Pollution of water sources
Although abundant, river and lake water is often contaminated by human activities. Uncontrolled agriculture, sewage discharges, lack of sanitation and illegal mining have a direct impact on water quality. In some areas, drinking water is polluted by household waste, chemicals and even heavy metals from mining activities.Poor management and lack of governance
Water resources management is often neglected due to weak local institutions and poor coordination between different actors. Provincial and local authorities lack the means to implement effective and sustainable water management. This results in inefficient use of existing infrastructure and a lack of long-term planning for access to drinking water.Inequalities of access by region
Access to drinking water is particularly limited in rural areas. While some towns such as Kalemie benefit from a supply network, many peripheral municipalities, villages and isolated territories do not have access to drinking water. This imbalance creates enormous disparities in the living conditions of the province's inhabitants.
The dramatic consequences of the lack of drinking water
Lack of access to safe drinking water has serious consequences for public health and the social and economic development of the province. Residents, especially in rural areas, are forced to draw water from unprotected sources, exposing them to water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid.
Children are particularly vulnerable. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrheal diseases, caused by the consumption of unsafe water, represent one of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years of age in the DRC. Malnutrition, often exacerbated by the consumption of poor quality water, also affects children's development.
In addition, the lack of access to potable water hinders the economic development of the province. Agriculture, the main source of income in the region, suffers from the irregularity and quality of available water. The lack of adequate irrigation and water insecurity affect agricultural yields and limit food production.
Possible initiatives and solutions
MAMA ODARI is implementing a project aimed at building drinking water wells in six villages with a high number of deficiencies, no drinking water supply and a high infant mortality rate due to water-borne diseases.
CONTEXT
The lack of drinking water is the cause of so-called waterborne diseases, the second leading cause of infant mortality in the world. These diarrhoeal diseases and acute gastroenteritis transmitted by viruses, protozoa and bacteria cause death by dehydration, especially in children aged between 1 and 5 years.
Droughts are increasingly frequent and water supply services in many regions are inadequate.
PROJECT
In our province of Tanganyika, more than a million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2,800 children under 5 die each year from preventable diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. To address the situation that is increasingly characterized by droughts and inadequate water supply services in many areas, the project focuses on carrying out awareness-raising activities for the population, identifying areas for well construction and preparing the land, but also on drilling, installing pumps and conducting microbiological tests.
In addition, the organization is responsible for providing training on hygiene habits and monitoring and evaluating the different phases of the project.
The objectives are to reduce the rate of water-borne diseases and infant mortality, but also to increase opportunities for leisure and income-generating activities among women.
BENEFICIARIES
The total number of beneficiaries is 8,500 people, including 2,500 direct beneficiaries, who are none other than women and girls living in the six villages concerned by the project, who will see their distance to travel to access drinking water reduced to less than one kilometer (at present, these people can travel up to 5 km while carrying a load of about 20 kg). Men
aged between 15 and 65 years or more, in charge of agricultural and livestock activities, are among the indirect beneficiaries. Thanks to the construction of the wells, the animals will benefit from access to water since these facilities will be equipped with a watering trough to collect excess water.