DRC-Unicef

At least a child out of 10 dies in the DRC before the age of five due to lack of access to clean water

The United Nations Children’s Fund has revealed that only 52% of the population has access to clean water in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The statement has come as the world celebrated on Tuesday March 23^rd, the international day of water ; UNICEF is very concerned about such a lack of access to clean water since it affects children of that country.

The situation is too serious and the most affected children are those of under 5 years old, especially those living in rural areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This year’s international day of water is celebrated under the theme ‘‘water and climate change’’ ; but really, consequences of this lack of access to clean water are worse, at least one child out of ten dies here before the age of five due to non-access to drinking water related disease.

And indeed, there is a direct link between the lack of access to clean water and child mortality ; according to UNICEF chief of communication department, Yves Willemot who revealed as well that the access to clean water can reduce the level of illnesses and mortality of children.

Only 52% of the population accessing clean water in the Democratic Republic of Congo ; ‘‘this remains too far from the sustainable development objective that aims to guarantee access to clean water and sanitation to all’’, Willemot said.

This is why UNICEF is supporting the DRC government in a program well known as healthy villages and healthy schools that is more focused on rural areas where only 30% of the population have access to drinking water.

‘‘That is a program where schools and villages are being organized in an holistic way to guarantee access to clean water and sanitation to all, the program is reaching more and more people thanks to the financial contribution of the UK government and UK aid’’.

There is a big difference between the levels in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s rural areas where only 30% of inhabitants can access clean water and in urban ones where 80% of the population have access to such a product.

JNB