Issue overview
Due to the massive destruction of infrastructure during the civil war, half of all Angolans do not have access to safe water. The situation is critical in rural areas, where only 40% of households get their water from a safe source. Sanitation conditions, though precarious throughout the country, are especially critical in rural areas, where only 16% of people have access to appropriate sanitation. In urban areas, the situation is slightly better—70% of the population has access to safe drinking water and 56% to sanitation facilities. To date, rural public institutions—particularly schools and health centres—have not been prioritised for provision of improved water and sanitation facilities. As a result, virtually none have independent facilities of their own. Current levels of investment in water sector development do not reflect the marked disparities between urban and rural conditions. Annual spending on urban water supply amounts to US$850 million, compared with $11.6 million on rural water. Less than $50,000 is spent per year for rural sanitation. The urgency of rural water and sanitation development cannot be over-stated. At a minimum, improvements in this critical sector would contribute significantly to reductions in under-five mortality and morbidity, and produce improved learning abilities of all children, especially girls.
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