Improving the flow of cleaner water in DRC
12 March 2007
In 2000, Oxfam, funded by DFID, constructed 37 water pumps in one of the most disadvantaged areas of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). And between May 2006 and April 2007, DFID supported Oxfam with almost £1 million to carry out similar water projects in North and South Kivu in eastern DRC.
Mayi oyo ezali malamu – “This water is good”
‘Mama’ Sophie Mena has lived in the Ndjili Kilambo district of Kinshasa for most of her life. She survived the civil war but still suffers as a result of poor public services. However, after a pump was installed in the area a few years ago, her family's health measurably improved. It has brought a ray of light upon a fairly dismal situation. As Mama says:
"The national water system, which should serve this area, is very bad. The water only flows at 3am. But because there is no electric lighting here, it is very dangerous for people in the area to go out at that time. And the water is dirty and makes us sick.
"During the day we can take water from the spring, but this is not properly maintained and also not safe to drink."
"Without this pump we would have suffered a lot. One time, in the days before the new pump was installed, the water from the national system stopped flowing for an entire month, and we had to walk a long way to fetch water. Before the pump, my children would often have diarrhoea or amoebas, but they are ill less often nowadays."
While it has made a real difference, the system has not been without its problems. For one, the new hardware needs to be well looked after. To ensure this, committees of local people were set up to manage each of the pumps. A small levy was taken from those using the pump, to pay for any repairs and for new supplies of chlorine.
However, some committee members used this revenue for their own benefit, leaving no funds for maintenance. Oxfam is working with the committees to try and close this loophole and allow the clean water to keep on flowing.
Oxfam
water and sanitation homepageKey facts
- DFID currently undertakes work with Oxfam on water pumps in North and South Kivu. Funding for this amounts to £997,480 between May 2006 and April 2007.
- Between 1999 and 2002, 37 wells and 142 water points were installed, and 10 water springs protected with DFID funding.
- Each pump provides water for around 1,000 people. In total 180,000 people have benefited from cleaner, more reliable water.
