### Kambau: A drinking water supply project, a symbol of community resilience in the face of adversity
In a context where insurgent violence, such as that carried out by the armed group ADF, exacerbates humanitarian crises in the North Kivu region, a glimmer of hope is emerging from the village of Kambau. The population of this locality, located in the Bapakombe group, has just launched an ambitious drinking water supply project, entirely financed by its own funds. This initiative, much more than a simple infrastructure project, is a powerful illustration of community resilience in the face of adversity and insecurity.
#### The quest for a vital resource
The problem of access to drinking water is far from simply logistical; it is intrinsically linked to the health, economic development and social stability of an entire region. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 2.2 billion people worldwide still do not have access to safely managed drinking water services. In the context of North Kivu, this situation is all the more alarming. Recurrent ADF attacks in this region have not only led to massive population displacements, but have also damaged essential infrastructure, making access to drinking water increasingly precarious.
The administrative secretary of the Bapakombe group, Boniface Kasaho Kanyamulamba, expressed the challenges the community faces in raising the funds needed to complete this project. By putting forward a sum of USD 7,800, the community is requesting a contribution of 10,000 francs from each household, demonstrating a collective commitment to the sustainability of their water resource.
#### A community response to the crisis
In the face of protracted crises, populations often turn to local solutions to overcome challenges. This model, combining solidarity and determination, is the one that Kambau chooses to adopt. By opting for a community financing campaign, the inhabitants do not simply wait for external aid that is often absent or ineffective, but they act to improve their living conditions.
Furthermore, this initiative provides an interesting framework for analysis compared to other community movements in Africa. For example, similar projects in Kenya and Ethiopia have transformed villages into spaces of sustainable autonomy, easing pressure on natural resources while strengthening social cohesion.
#### Challenges and perspectives
Nevertheless, the challenge is considerable. The quest for a reliable water supply is not limited to building infrastructure alone. It also requires a long-term commitment to resource management and maintenance.. Once the water is delivered, it is crucial to ensure its accessibility and quality over time. This requires training and supervision that often exceed the technical capacities of the communities.
In addition, it is essential that the project be integrated into a broader vision that includes public policies that are favorable to water and health. The experience of many regions shows that the success of a water supply project depends not only on community involvement but also on the support of local authorities, considered essential actors.
#### Towards a broader momentum of solidarity
Finally, beyond the immediate financial challenge, the Kambau project could also serve as a catalyst to mobilize external resources and create partnerships with NGOs or government institutions. Mr. Kanyamulamba’s call for “people of good will” could thus galvanize international mobilization around water issues, transforming a local need into a global advocacy campaign.
Kambau’s story thus resonates as a call for mobilization and action. It also questions our role, as observers of society, in the face of these local initiatives. Each support, whether financial, material or moral, can contribute to building a better future for these communities, proving that with solidarity and determination, concrete solutions can emerge even from the deepest crises.
In short, the Kambau drinking water supply project is much more than just a local project. It embodies the strength of a community that refuses to be defeated by adversity and that chooses to write its own story of development and resilience. The ball is now in our court, as a society, to support these voices that rise up against injustice and precariousness, and to build together a common vision of a world where each individual has access to water, a vital resource for life.