Majority of Congolese Lack Access to Drinking Water

Approximately 51 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) do not have access to safe drinking water, even though the country holds over half of Africa’s water reserves, according to a study conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

The 51 million figure represents 74% of the DRC’s total population.

UNEP presented the technical report on the DRC’s acute drinking water crisis and recommended solutions at World Water Day, which took place in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa.

The study confirmed that despite recent progress, including water sector reforms, the scale of the challenge means that the country will not be able to meet its water targets under the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG).

The UNEP report said the DRC would have to supply an additional 20.3 million people with safe drinking water by 2015 to even meet its national development goals, which are significantly below the MDG water targets.

UNEP has recommended innovative strategies such as community-managed water supply systems in urban fringe areas and low-cost technical solutions, including communal tap areas and rainwater harvesting.