WASH Clean drinking water, basic sanitation, and hygienic practices are of paramount importance for people’s wellbeing. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this again, as handwashing with clean water is the first line of defence against this and other viral diseases. Integrated approaches to water management at scale are needed to collectively address the impacts of climate change on field level. We are delighted to share some results of ZOA’s work worldwide.
DR CONGO
Access to water improved – especially for women The Luberizi River, townspeople’s sole water source, is used for drinking, washing, irrigation, watering animals, dumping waste and bathing. Conflicts often arise between water users. Consequently, our project aimed to increase safe access to clean drinking and irrigation water. Since 2017, ZOA - in consortium with International Rescue Committee and Search for Common Ground - has implemented an integrated water resources management project in DR Congo’s Luberizi. In 2021, the project completed the drinking water supply system (spanning 72 kms) and irrigation system construction (spanning 11.5 kms). As a result, 99.5% of the 34,600 inhabitants have daily access to more than 40 liters of drinking water per household. At the beginning of the project, only 0.6% had such access. Women stated there is a considerable reduction in the risk of being attacked while fetching water. They also attested to a significant reduction in the burden linked to fetching water. We are pleased to report the area irrigated by water has increased from 300 hectares to 1,136 hectares, providing 91.2% of inhabitants with access to irrigation water.
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ZOA ANNUAL REPORT 2021
