Strengthening water resource management and Gender awareness in South Kivu, DRC Possessing an estimated 52 per cent of Africa’s surface water reserves (rivers, lakes and wetlands), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the most water-rich country in Africa. Furthermore, the DRC alone accounts for an estimated 23 percent of Africa’s internal renewable water resources. Endowed with an average annual precipitation of around 6,000 billion m3, rainfall is regular and abundant (average 1,545 mm/year) but varies in space and time (800-1,800 mm). Today the country faces a dual challenge with water sources drying up during the dry season and polluted during the rainy season, primarily due to poor water resource management and the lack of national policy. Community’s knowledge, attitude, and practices have also contributed negatively to water quality as they build houses and conduct commercial activities in water protected areas. The affects of climate change such as rising temperature and change in precipitation are undeniably clear with impacts already water availability. With long dry season now than in the past, farming activities have suffered and this has had negative impacts on communities. As a result, people have been forced to relocate seeking for fertile   land and where they have access to potable water. This population movement  and land seeking have also been challenging and one of the main drivers of tensions in eastern DRC, including ethnic and various
armed conflict. CAFOD conducted a need assessment, through a consultant   who worked with implementing partners, in
September and October 2012 to try and understand the roots causes of water resource management issues and discuss mitigation possibilities. The main root cause identified was the weak knowledge, attitude   and practices of communities in affected villages coupled to lack of government commitments and accompaniment. The assessment reviled the need for a holistic planning, utilization, and management capacity within community in the area of water resource management. During focus groups, women in the communities expressed the desire to be trained in leadership and gender issues so that they can participate in decision making affecting them and water resource management in their communities. In addition, women highlighted the importance of their involvement in economic activities so
that they can contribute to family income. CAFOD will partner with BDD/OSD Bukavu to strengthen water resource
management in Kaniola, Idjwi and Kalehe territory in (South Kivu) . The project will have a direct impact on food production and increase livelihood in these villages. The intervention will be based on the Disaster Risk Reduction approach; whereby trainers will be trained in water resource management and they will be deployed to various villages to train in cascade mode. Each   community will develop its own pollution, erosion and landslide risk   reduction
plan and set clear plans on how to use and manage available water resources to support agriculture, livestock and fishing. 
500 Women will be trained in leadership, gender, and empowered in economic activities.  The project will i) help communities improve best practices on water management, ii) improve access to potable water by building new and repairing damaged water point while practicing good land management habits iii) help women and man work together to tackle poverty in their respective communities through gender awareness and women empowerment activities. 
BDD/OSD Bukavu have worked in WASH programme for over ten years. Centre Olame ahev tremendous experience in women issues and will work closely with BDD on gender related activities. Four territories will benefit from this project. Shabunda, Kalehe, Walungu, and Idjwi in south Kivu. Five villages have been selected in each territory. 
The project will contribute to Match Fund IPDF’s 2012 outcome: Poor women and men in marginalised communities increase their control over decisions and access to key resources, particularly safe drinking water
and sanitation.  At least 12,128 persons will directly benefit from improved water resource management (7,277 women and 4,851 men). In South Kivu 04 local partners will be trained and involved in the implementation of this programme. The programme will be implemented for 20 months, starting from June 2013 to January 2015.