In the BULENGO displaced persons camps in Goma, every day is a struggle for survival. Deprived of their homes by conflict, thousands of people face precarious living conditions. In Bulengo, access to something as basic as drinking water had become a real ordeal, with women, men and children walking for miles in search of water. But thanks to the commitment of Go Shop Energy and MSF Holland, a new page has been turned.
Prior to the implementation of the project, the inhabitants of Bulengo were faced with a water shortage after the two 15 kWp pumps initially installed quickly broke down and proved insufficient to cope with the massive influx of displaced people. The consequences of this shortage were multiple and serious:
- High health risks: Drinking water from unprotected sources exposed the population to numerous diseases, including cholera and diarrhea.
- Difficulties in daily life: Lack of water made even the most basic tasks (cooking, washing, laundry) extremely difficult and time-consuming.
- Social tensions: Disputes over access to water points were frequent, exacerbating tensions within the community.
At present, the Bulengo IDP camp is frequently affected by water shortages lasting up to three days, compromising the health of the inhabitants, particularly women and children, who are unable to maintain their hygiene. This forces them to draw water from the lake, exposing the community to serious health risks and potentially leading to loss of life, confirmed Mariam during an exchange.
In response to this emergency, Go Shop Energy, in collaboration with MSF Holland, undertook a project to improve the water supply, which resulted in the installation of four new 22 kWp pumps, capable of meeting the increased needs of the population to improve health, facilitate daily life and strengthen the social fabric.
After months of work and combined efforts, the project to improve the drinking water supply in the Bulengo camp is now a reality. The new pumps are operational, providing quality water to a considerable number of the population, and a monitoring and maintenance program has been set up, involving local technicians trained for this purpose. Their role is to ensure the longevity of the installations and respond rapidly to any breakdowns.
This project is tangible proof that by joining forces, we can provide concrete solutions to the most complex challenges. It is essential that we continue along this path and multiply similar initiatives to ensure that everyone has equitable access to drinking water, which is essential to life.
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Goma: A gesture for life