Water shortages affect residents in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Water shortages are causing significant hardship in several regions of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Sororezo, located in the Bujumbura province of Burundi, the dry season has made irrigation difficult. Residents living in mountainous areas face steep terrain and must travel long distances to reach water sources, often spending over 30 minutes trekking to and from water points. The clay-heavy soil in the region dries quickly, complicating agricultural efforts for those living on the heights.

In the Walikale territory of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, more than 10,000 residents of Banakindi have been without potable water for over a month. Local civil society reports that unidentified individuals destroyed the pipes connecting the reservoir to various villages. This interruption has forced the population to rely on rivers and unmanaged water sources, raising serious concerns among health authorities regarding the potential outbreak of waterborne diseases.