Water Problems In Drc

The drc s abundant water resources are a major asset for national development.
Water problems in drc. 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 information system is equally essential par ticularly given its importance for the development of key economic sectors. Although the drc has an abundance of freshwater sources pollution and accessibility are major issues in the country. 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.
The democratic republic of congo also known as drc or simply congo is by all measures one of the poorest countries in the world. Despite sustained efforts only 52 of the population has access to an improved water source and 29 has improved sanitation facilities. Despite the great challenges constraining the water sector these are not intractable problems and can be solved by. In the drc the state water utility does not have the ability to improve its water pumping system because they lack the.
The democratic republic of congo is a country rich in resources yet fraught with conflict and violence. Economic growth is negative in real terms which limits the government s basic infrastructure investments and maintenance. Many of its people have not seen peace in more than 20 years. Our child focused programming in protection health nutrition water and sanitation food aid food security peacebuilding efforts and emergency relief reached almost 2 5 million people in 2015.
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. Read more about the crisis and find out how we re helping families survive and build stronger futures. The democratic republic of the congo drc the second largest country in africa is endowed with large quantities of freshwater. 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.
Overall the drc s water supply and sanitation sector is characterized by. Constricted political space for civil society activity and. The country is currently experiencing the largest displacement crisis in africa. However water security is low because of economic and governance constraints.