“You are welcome here. Implement whatever you want. We need your kind of organization here.” – Chief of Nyiragongo Territory to Transform DRC Staff
The M23 Rebel government closed all the IDP Camps in Goma and told the people living there to go back to their homes. Prior to the fighting between the Congolese Army and the M23 Rebels, Transform DRC had installed 98 water tanks with rain catchment systems and water filters that provided clean water to more than 5000 people in Kibumba and Buhumba.
Why it Matters: Unfortunately, many of these water tanks were damaged in the fighting cutting off access to clean drinking water to the local population. Water-borne diseases are now rampant in the area due to a lack of drinkable water.
Transform DRC Actions: Before visiting Kibumba and Buhumba to make an assessment of the needed repairs, Transform DRC Staff visited Nyiragongo Territory to get permission from the Chief to repair the tanks and restart the project to fill the tanks with clean drinking water using water trucks from Goma. They were well-received by the Chief and were given permission to continue their work.
Next Steps:
- Transform DRC Staff are currently assessing the damage to the tanks, rain catchment systems and water filters.
- Continue bringing water trucks to these 2 communities from Goma to fill the tanks with clean water, in partnership with UMCOR.
- Provide seeds of potatoes, corn and cabbage so the local populations can grow much-needed food.
