The critical situation facing the thousands of displaced people living in Biakato, in the Babila Babombi chiefdom, in the Mambasa territory in Ituri, is alarming. Indeed, these populations are deprived of an essential element for human survival: drinking water. For three weeks, the drought in the region has considerably reduced access to water for these already vulnerable people.
The drinking water sources and wells developed to meet the needs of the displaced are unfortunately no longer able to provide a sufficient quantity of water, due to the scarcity of rainfall. This situation is creating a real humanitarian crisis, forcing both displaced people and locals to travel kilometers through the forest in search of drinking water, with no guarantee as to its quality.
The daily search for water is becoming a real challenge for the population of Biakato, exposing residents to the risk of contracting water-borne diseases, in addition to the dangers linked to the exactions of the ADF rebels active in the region. Children, already weakened by the conditions of displacement, also see their access to education compromised due to this shortage of drinking water.
Faced with this humanitarian emergency, it is imperative that the competent authorities take rapid measures to ensure the safety of populations searching for water and guarantee their access to a reliable source of drinking water. Similarly, an emergency humanitarian intervention is necessary to avoid further loss of life and preserve the health of these communities already tested by the ravages of war.
It is the responsibility of all, from local authorities to humanitarian organizations and civil society, to act collectively to provide sustainable solutions to this water crisis in Biakato. Solidarity and cooperation are essential to help these displaced populations who deserve to live in dignity and security, with access to drinking water, a fundamental right for all.
In conclusion, the situation in Biakato reflects an alarming reality that requires an urgent and concerted response from all stakeholders involved. Water, the source of life, must not be a luxury, but a universal and inalienable right for everyone.