Water is Life – World Water Day 2011

By Charles Franzén/IMA

As the world celebrates World Water Day, it is important to remember that despite international efforts and significant funding, 1 billion people in the world today are without sufficient supplies of water. IMA and its partners in the DR Congo have restored and constructed over 625 natural spring outflows since 2006 – cleaning out the spring, filling with rock, covering and sealing with a cement wall and outflow pipes. In addition, over 115 rainwater collection cisterns have been constructed.

Together, these improved clean water sources provide for nearly 200,000 people who otherwise would be dependent on germ-filled supplies from rivers, open wells and puddles. In South Kivu, Mrs. Hortense Bora, a resident of Bumoga village, said, 'Since the project rehabilitated the water source, I now have more time to devote to taking care of my new born twins because I'm no longer obliged to fetch water far from my house."