Smart investments needed to tackle drinking water crisis in dr congo kinshasa nairobi 22 march 2011 the democratic republic of the congo drc possesses over half of africa s water reserves.
Water problems in drc.
The democratic republic of congo also known as drc or simply congo is by all measures one of the poorest countries in the world.
Water quality in the democratic republic of the congo is in need of improvement only 46 percent of the population has access to clean and safe drinking water.
The democratic republic of congo is a country rich in resources yet fraught with conflict and violence.
Many of its people have not seen peace in more than 20 years.
Read more about the crisis and find out how we re helping families survive and build stronger futures.
Although the drc has an abundance of freshwater sources pollution and accessibility are major issues in the country.
In the drc the state water utility does not have the ability to improve its water pumping system because they lack the.
Overall the drc s water supply and sanitation sector is characterized by.
The current water crisis is a result of the deteriorated state of the water infrastructure due to underinvestment in the water sector and conflict related destruction as well as the rapid growth of the population which was estimated at 4 percent in urban areas and 2 5 percent in rural areas by the world bank in 2009.
Ironically congo has abundant natural resources namely mineral deposits such as tantalum a key element of cell phones and laptops worldwide.
However water security is low because of economic and governance constraints.
Economic growth is negative in real terms which limits the government s basic infrastructure investments and maintenance.
Despite sustained efforts only 52 of the population has access to an improved water source and 29 has improved sanitation facilities.
In fact a study carried out by the irc found that since the war most congolese have not died from violence but rather from malaria diarrhea and malnutrition all problems associated with the lack of water global issues.
Despite the great challenges constraining the water sector these are not intractable problems and can be solved by.
Water information system is equally essential par ticularly given its importance for the development of key economic sectors.
The democratic republic of congo drc has over 50 of the african continent s water reserves but despite this tremendous potential 33 million people in rural areas still lack access to quality water.
The drc s abundant water resources are a major asset for national development.
The democratic republic of the congo drc the second largest country in africa is endowed with large quantities of freshwater.
World vision is the world food programme s largest partner in the drc distributing food to nearly 1 million people.
