Unlike many African countries where fresh water is unevenly distributed both spatially and temporally, the area around the sources of the Congo and Nile River has water in abundance. The climate and availability for fresh water resources in the Great Lakes area can be compared to the one in Switzerland in terms of precipitation and water availability.
It is, however, a sad reality that according to the FAO, today more people across the area lack access to safe drinking water than in the 1990ies. Especially in the South Kivu a percentage of less than 40% is covered with safe drinking water. Such insufficient drinking water coverage affects the quality of the daily used water, as people have to cover their needs from other sources that are not safe at all. The implied loss of quality, affects health, socio- economic development and eventually life expectancy and wellbeing of the people living in the area.
Water-related diseases are widespread and people invest substantial amount of time gathering water for their daily consumption.
In this context, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation is constructing and rehabilitating water supply systems for villages and health centers to support the local population and government.
Lucas Beck has been involved in the project since the beginning and helped with the design of the project, selection of health centers and villages for water supply rehabilitation.
Lucas Beck holds the backstopping mandate to accompany the project implementation for SDC as well as handover to local population and institutions.
