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Expanding use of household water treatment in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo Results and Lessons Learned

One of the largest countries in Africa in both size and population, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest in the world. According to the 2010 UN Development Index, it ranks 168th out of 169 countries, ahead of only Zimbabwe.1 For DRC’s 71 million people, life expectancy is a relatively short 48 years, due to continuing civil conflict and high rates of poverty, disease and famine.2 This high level of conflict has led to a humanitarian crisis in the country, especially in the eastern regions. According to the 2010 Multiple Indicator Cluster (MICS) survey, only 47% of the population has access to improved water sources. 3 There is also a significant urban/rural disparity in water access. About 83% of people in urban areas versus 31% of people

1 UNDP 2010

2 From 1996 - 1997 and from 1998 - 2003, DRC suffered two civil wars (IDMC 2010).

3 Ministere du Plan, Institut National de la Statistique, UNICEF 2010