In Goma, in the North Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the shortage of drinking water has plunged residents into an acute crisis for several days. The taps of the water distribution authority (REGIDESO) no longer deliver a drop of water, forcing the population to embark on a frantic race in search of precious reserves.
The observation is bitter: young girls, boys, ladies, all equipped with yellow cans, walk the streets of Goma’s neighborhoods in the hope of finding water. The scarcity is felt to the point of significantly increasing the price of a twenty-liter container of water, going from 100 to 500 Congolese francs and more in certain places. This surge in prices has a hard impact on already vulnerable households.
The situation is all the more worrying as the region faces high temperatures, encouraging the population to rehydrate regularly. Unfortunately, access to water is becoming a luxury for many, forcing some to get up at dawn to search for sources of supply.
This crisis does not only affect Goma, but extends to the town of Cantine, located around fifty kilometers from Beni. The consequences are serious: water-borne diseases, scarcity of vegetables on local markets and increased risks for women who sometimes have to wait until midnight to obtain water.
Faced with this alarming situation, the population is calling for urgent intervention from the authorities and their partners to alleviate this shortage of drinking water. The water crisis in Goma and its surrounding areas illustrates the crucial challenges facing many communities, requiring rapid and sustainable solutions to ensure equitable access to drinking water for all.