DRC: MSF again calls for urgent water and sanitation response in North Kivu displacement camps

“We don’t have enough sanitation facilities, including latrines,” says Venasiya Rwata, who lives in Sam Sam camp with her seven children. “We are sometimes forced to leave our area to relieve ourselves in more distant places in the camp.”

Being forced to seek sanitation facilities in other camps or in more distant places can expose women and children to crime and violence, including sexual violence, which is prevalent within the camps.   

With no end to the conflict in sight, MSF water and sanitation teams have focused on constructing more robust emergency infrastructure, including a more durable latrine design. Over the past months, MSF has constructed 2,334 latrines and 1,379 showers. Our teams are also working to increase the capacity of water supply systems and faecal sludge treatment sites operated by other organisations. 

Despite repeated calls for mobilisation from MSF, the humanitarian response has been hindered by insufficient coordination and funding for organisations on the ground. This has resulted in critical gaps in meeting humanitarian needs, including in water and sanitation. 

In light of this longstanding crisis, MSF urges international donors, governments, and other groups and organisations to ramp up their efforts and take over water and sanitation activities within the camps. As MSF is primarily a medical organisation, teams are operating at maximum capacity and need to focus on responding to medical needs.

“Immediate and sustainable action is needed now to avoid a public health crisis,” says Torrent.