Congolese Children More Prone to Dying From Water-Borne Diseases Than From Violence, UNICEF Says

Children living in the war-torn areas of the Democratic Republic Congo (DR Congo) have three times more risk of dying from water diseases than from violence, the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has noted in a report.

“The restoration of essential services should be a priority; if not, we risk to lose more lives,” Jean-Francois Basse, the UNICEF interim representative in the DR Congo, said.

While access to clean water can play a crucial role in preventing the outbreak of certain epidemics, such as cholera and Mpox, thousands of people have been displaced and are now living in reinstallation zones, where access to basic services like water and sanitation is severely limited.

“Clean water is a vital resource. While the cholera and measles epidemics continue in Eastern DR Congo, the children of families more than ever before need clean water to avoid a more serious sanitary crisis,” Jean-Francois added.

With its two million inhabitants, Goma town is suffocating following the outbreak of violence since January and its capture by M23 rebels. This has led to the non-availability of potable water, sanitary services and electricity, and many inhabitants of the town have recently been displaced. Urgent needs have emerged with a humanitarian crisis, including the destruction of supply infrastructures in water, which was largely used.

UNICEF and its partners in the DRC provide clean water to 700,000 people daily, including 364,000 children in Goma, following a disruption in supply due to ongoing clashes.

The daily supply of water is done through the REGIDESO distribution company. This follows the supply by UNICEF and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) of 77,000 litres of fuel, which made it possible for five principal pumping stations to resume after having stopped due to the cutting of the current.

“In eastern Goma, 33,000 additional persons are supplied water from a distribution network built by UNICEF in the region of Bushara-Kayarutshiyna,” UNICEF revealed.

Water is also being carried by tankers to three health establishments, including the Virunga Reference Hospital, which has taken charge of about 3,000 wounded persons. Medical kits permitting the treatment of 50,000 persons have also been distributed to health centres saturated by the number of patients soliciting medical assistance.