Because the water supply in the Kong doesn’t work Congolese city of Goma, to draw people to your water directly from the Kivu. But the dangers and threatens to exacerbate the Ebola crisis.
On the shores of lake Kivu, near the city of Goma in the East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the people gather early in the Morning to fill water in your canister. The place you arrive at, is also known as the “beach people”. Many who come here, have no water connection at home, and have been coming for years. However, it has become full on the beach. Because for nearly three months, little flows until no more water comes through Gomas already deficiencies in the water network.
To the Concerned about raisin Mugoli. The 20-year-old schoolgirl has to put back every Morning around ten kilometers on foot, in order to supply their family with water. She complains about the poor quality of the untreated water obtained directly from the lake. “We have been for three months, no more water at home and have, therefore, decided to bring it here,” explains Mugoli your location. “And, although the water is dirty. We bring our lives in danger. It is risky, we can catch diseases such as Cholera.”
At the “beach people” to get residents of Goma water for their families
Nothing can replace water
In addition, The lack of water also complicates the fight against the Ebola epidemic, which is raging in North Kivu, and people calls life. Also in the city of Goma has already been confirmed cases. The spread of Ebola to curb the Virus, the authorities at Checkpoints, where people must wash their hands with chlorinated water or soap. “It will be difficult for these measures to be observed, if the people have no access to water,” warns Dr. Crispin Siwamunda, project Manager of the German aid organization ADRA e. V. in Goma. “Nothing can replace the water.”
The Virus, which has killed in the Congo so far, nearly 2,000 people, transmitted from wild animals to humans and then spreads from person to person. Recently, there are new drugs, with acute Ebola cases can be treated. Also, a vaccine is now used, in order to protect the people in the affected regions. However, to control the epidemic, regular hand remains washing with clean water is essential.
A child receives an Ebola vaccination in Goma
No water without electricity
When the water is flowing in Goma, however, is unclear. REGIDESO, the water supply to the competent Congolese state-owned company, announced technical problems in the processing and refers to the also chronically poor power supply in the Region. “We actually have a production capacity of 92.880 cubic meters of water per day,” says Jean-Louis Mutombo, staff of REGIDESO in North Kivu, compared to the DW. “But we are limited by the lack of electricity required for the pumps.”
In Goma, the expectations of the population to the yesterday presented the new government team of President Félix Tshisekedi, therefore, are high: Can improve the authorities ‘ access to clean drinking water? Much is at stake in the Ebola-threatened Region.