Improved Access to potable water, hygiene and sanitation with integrated gender awareness in Mulungu The past 15 years of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed the lives of an estimated five
million men, women, and children. Numerous armed groups engaged in a complex conflict have created a profound humanitarian emergency, particularly in eastern DRC . Despite its abundant natural resources, the DRC is one of the
poorest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 80 per cent of the population living below the income poverty line. The socio-economic indicators, including access to drinking water and adequate sanitation, are alarming and
falling below international standards, causing approximately 80% of the common diseases.  In terms of hygiene and
sanitation, 96% of the rural population do not have access to proper sanitation facilities (UNICEF, MICS2010). Since March 2011, the country has also faced a deadly cholera epidemic and reported more than 22,000 cases and more than 500 deaths (WHO, December 2011 report). 
Collecting and transporting water is a daily, time consumptive responsibility which predominantly falls to women and children (mostly girls).  Women and children living in villages must typically walk 4–10km every day to reach clean water,
placing them at significant risk of rape and abuses, since many available water sources are isolated. Furthermore, rape is used by armed forces as weapon of war. DRC has reported during the last 5 years, more than 500,000 cases of rape,
it was classified among the three worst places to be a woman in the world (UNFPA,2011) 
This project will be implemented by BDD/Shabunda,  who has substantial experience in WASH programming, working with many other sister agencies including CRS, CORDAID, and other INGO like Oxfam GB, ACTED, Fraternité Belgique….This partner has also been working with CAFOD in Protection programmes since 2008 via CDJP/Bukavu (financial intermediary) 
The overall approach will be community education on sanitary and hygiene practices,  working with an elected steering committee to rehabilitate and construct water and sanitation facilities. Community members will be trained and equipped to maintain facilities to ensure the sustainability of the investment. 
This partnership will not only help to meet urgent WASH needs of approximately 13,712 persons but also create employment and help to protect key resources. The project is designed to partner closely with church and government institutions so that they are the primary implementers and benefit from technical and administrative capacity building
from CAFOD. Women and children will be significantly impacted by the availability of  water sources situated nearby, as it will reduce their daily labour and the risk of walking in insecure areas to search for water. The project aligns well with the Match fund IPDF outcomes and aims to achieve the following:  
 1. Provide potable water and sanitation training to 13,721 person (7550 women and 6,171 men) in Mulungu health zone, South Kivu province;
2. Through education, improve hygiene and sanitation conditions of Nzovu primary school and health centre by construction of  04 public latrines doors; construction of 01 incinerators and 01 placenta pits in health facility, and help
BDD/Shabunda to integrate gender awareness into their programme;
3. As part of our Protection and early recovery programme, advocacy messages will be conducted during special events to tackle root causes of limited access to wash and address gender based violence. All partners working in the DRC Wash programme will receive gender training and audit, and take part in women’s empowerment activities implemented by Centre Olame. The project will be implemented from 1st  June 2013 to 31st May 2014, (12
months)