The lack of drinking water continues to be a major problem in the province of Kasaï-Oriental. The inhabitants of the Bena Kanda region, in the Tshilenge territory, still do not have access to quality water despite their repeated complaints to the competent authorities.
The observation on the ground shows that these citizens are confronted with many waterborne diseases by drinking water unfit for consumption. To hydrate, they are often forced to travel long distances to resort to natural springs or artisanal wells, often contaminated with waste.
The province of Kasaï-Oriental has been facing a drinking water crisis for years. In 2014, a study conducted by the German Cooperation (GIZ) in partnership with the provincial Ministry of Planning revealed that only 10% of its population had access to drinking water. The main cause of this shortage is linked to the deterioration of hydraulic infrastructures in the province, due to the political and economic crises that the country has experienced.
The population of Bena Kanda has therefore appealed to the competent authorities to take charge of their drinking water problem, which is a fundamental right and an essential condition for sustainable development. The authorities must work to combat this shortage by rehabilitating the hydraulic infrastructures of the region, and by improving access to drinking water for the entire population of the province.