Water: the unexpected key to peace between communities

"I am happy to draw clean water directly in the village," says Deborah, a resident of Masumbuko, shares with a smile that radiates relief and resilience. Her words carry the weight of years spent walking treacherous paths to fetch water, each journey fraught with the dangers of violence.

"There were often disputes, and some women were sometimes assaulted in the bush," she recalls emotionally. But today, the water distribution point has become a symbol of relief and security —not just for Deborah's village, but for the neighboring village of Buki as well.

These two villages, nestled in the volatile Djugu territory in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), have long been ensnared in a brutal conflict. Masumbuko, predominantly Lendu, and Buki, home to the Hema community, saw their relations deteriorate in 2018 with a surge in attacks.

With the support of the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), UNICEF installed a water supply system that serves both villages equally. A reservoir was built next to the spring with a solar pump, and then a second reservoir was constructed at a higher elevation so that water could be distributed by gravity to water distribution points.

"Water is life, so sharing water is sharing life," declares the deputy chief of Buki. Every drop of water that flows in Buki also reaches Masumbuko, strengthening solidarity between the two villages. When a technical issue arises, residents from both sides come together to fix it, forging bonds of trust and mutual reliance.

A management committee, composed of members from both communities, has been established to oversee the maintenance of the infrastructure. Four women, including Deborah, are part of this committee, reflecting the importance of women's roles in promoting peace. "As a woman, I am aware of the role we must play in strengthening peaceful cohabitation between our two communities through this water supply project," says Deborah.

The committee ensures the fair distribution of water and the maintenance of the facilities. "Water is free for now, but we will set up a fund to sustain the infrastructure," she adds, noting that contributions will begin soon.

This project symbolizes more than just access to water; it embodies collaboration, peace, and the hope of a better future for the Lendu and Hema communities. Together, the villages are building a new reality where water becomes a means of reconciliation and shared prosperity.

With CERF’s support, more than 16,000 people across Ituri province now enjoy access to clean water through solar-powered systems. At the Rhoe site, the province’s largest internally displaced persons camp, over 14,000 people have also benefited from new sanitation facilities.

Access to clean water, hygiene, and sanitation is not just improving lives—it’s reviving hope for the most vulnerable, those who have borne the brunt of violence in eastern DRC.