The dire water and sanitation crisis in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) displacement camps, as highlighted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), reveals a deepening humanitarian emergency that urgently requires immediate and sustained intervention.
Development Diaries reports that insanitary conditions and severe, life-threatening shortages of clean water continue to reach critical levels in various informal camps for displaced people around Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, after several months.
Over the past two years, there has been an unprecedented, tremendous increase in the number of people fleeing their homes due to the continuous fighting in North Kivu province between armed groups, including the M23, and the Congolese security forces.
According to MSF, the overcrowded camps surrounding Goma, already sheltering approximately 645,000 people, are grossly underserviced, with critical gaps in access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
The situation is worsened by ongoing conflict between armed groups and the Congolese military, which has forced thousands to flee their homes.
Despite MSF’s significant investments in water infrastructure, the camps continue to receive insufficient water, far below the international emergency standard of 20 liters per person per day.
This scarcity has left vulnerable families struggling for basic survival, putting their health and safety at significant risk.
While MSF has made significant strides in addressing some of the gaps, its capacity is limited due to its primary focus on medical relief rather than long-term infrastructure management.
The call from MSF for other organisations to take on the responsibility of water and sanitation efforts is a clear signal of the unsustainable burden they currently bear.
Without coordinated support from international donors, governments, and specialised humanitarian groups, MSF’s efforts alone will not suffice.
The lack of adequate funding and coordinated response has left critical needs unmet, demonstrating the failure of the international community to effectively address the root causes of this protracted crisis.
Therefore, it is essential that urgent and coordinated action is taken to prevent further loss of lives.
Development Diaries calls on governments, international donors, and organisations with expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to mobilise resources to scale up interventions in these camps.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in North Kivu should serve as a wake-up call for a global response that prioritises not just emergency relief but also long-term, durable solutions that can withstand the protracted nature of conflict in the region.
Photo source: MSF
