Baseline survey : water, sanitation and hygiene : Nyiragongo Territory, North Kivu province Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The water, sanitation and hygiene baseline survey conducted in Nyiragongo Territory in October 2008 was done to inform indicators for Mercy Corps’ Multi-Year Assistance Program (MYAP) in North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This population-based study focused on households’ current health, nutrition and socio-economic status in addition to information about household water use, water storage, and sanitation. Moreover, this study provided a baseline for household knowledge and practices concerning waterborne diseases. The situation in Nyiragongo Territory reveals a vicious cycle in which numerous factors contribute to ongoing poverty. Living conditions are difficult as witnessed by low purchasing power, low levels of education, lack of access to information, overcrowded households, houses made of mud bricks, latrines in poor condition, poor access to safe drinking water, etc. These factors lead to inadequate hygiene and basic sanitation, resulting in a prevalence of waterborne diseases in the community. As there is a lack of awareness about waterborne diseases and preventative measures are not widely known or practiced by the local population, preventable common illnesses play a toll on households. High health care costs and reduced productivity are just two consequences of preventable illnesses. Without an improvement in basic living conditions, households in North Kivu are at risk of plunging deeper into poverty.

(authors abstract)