Angola's Water Crisis: A Looming Threat

Angola has been facing a water crisis, with residents of the capital city of Luanda experiencing water shortages and poor water quality. The water crisis in Angola is a result of limited infrastructure and a lack of sustainable access to improved water sources. This has led to residents relying on water vendors and expensive private tanker trucks to meet their daily water requirements. The situation has also been exacerbated by an ongoing drought in southern Angola, which has affected an estimated 2.3 million people and disrupted children's education. To address the water crisis, the Angolan government has launched initiatives such as the Water for All program and partnered with organizations like USAID and the World Bank to improve water services and increase access to clean water.

Water shortage in Luanda

Angola's capital city, Luanda, is facing a severe water shortage crisis. This crisis has led to a reliance on water vendors, with many residents having to wake up early to search for clean water. The city is surrounded by water, with the Bengo and Cuanza Rivers and the Atlantic Ocean on three sides, yet only about half of its 7-8 million inhabitants have access to clean, running water.

The water shortage in Luanda has severe consequences for the health and well-being of its residents. The lack of access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are the main causes of infectious diseases. According to UNICEF, 44% of Angolans do not have access to clean water, and cholera outbreaks have occurred in the country, with 1,046 cases and 21 deaths between February and August 2018.

The Public Water Company of Luanda (EPAL) has acknowledged the seriousness of the water shortage, with a daily production level of 540,000 cubic meters, falling short of the daily need of over 1 million cubic meters. Financial issues have been a challenge in addressing the water shortage, but production projects are underway to improve access to clean water.

The Angolan government has launched initiatives to address the water crisis, including inviting the private sector to invest in power and water services. International organizations such as the World Bank and USAID have also provided support, with the World Bank approving a $500 million guarantee for the Luanda Bita Water Supply Project to improve access to clean water in selected areas of Luanda.

The water shortage in Luanda highlights the importance of investing in water projects and infrastructure to ensure that residents have access to this basic human right, reducing the time and money spent on acquiring water, and improving overall health and economic outcomes.

Angola's water investment

Angola has been facing a water crisis, with residents in the capital of Luanda experiencing water shortages. This has resulted in a dependence on water vendors, and the government has launched projects to address the issue. The country has also been grappling with the effects of low global crude prices, which have impacted its budget.

To address the water crisis, Angola has received support and investment from various organizations, such as the World Bank and USAID. The World Bank approved a package worth $1.320 billion from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to support the Angolan government in promoting inclusive growth, improving water services, and strengthening the national social protection system. This package includes the Luanda Bita Water Supply Project, which aims to improve access to clean water service in selected areas of Luanda by investing in water production, transmission, storage, and distribution. The project is expected to benefit an estimated 1 million people initially, with the capacity to serve up to 2 million in the future.

USAID, through its Development Grants Program (DGP) initiative, supports community governance mechanisms that improve the management and operations of water systems. They have also worked on a project to improve access to water and sanitation services in primary schools, reducing water-borne diseases and absenteeism.

The Angolan government has also taken initiatives to address the water crisis. They have established the "Water for All" initiative and plan to invite the private sector to invest in power and water services. The government has launched two major projects to double the capacity of the water supply to achieve 1 million cubic meters of water in Luanda, as the current supply of 430,000 cubic meters is insufficient.

The water crisis in Angola has had significant impacts on the lives of its residents, particularly in terms of health and sanitation. The lack of access to clean water has resulted in unsanitary conditions, with residents relying on water vendors or unsafe sources such as untreated river water. The situation is especially dire in poorer communities, and it has disrupted children's education as they spend time searching for water instead of attending school.

Water-borne diseases

Angola has been facing a water crisis, with residents of the capital, Luanda, experiencing water shortages. This has led to a dependence on water vendors, and the government has launched initiatives to increase water supply. However, the issue of water-borne diseases persists.

• Typhoid Fever: Typhoid is well-known in extremely poor parts of developing nations, with an estimated 20 million people suffering from it annually. It is spread through contaminated food, unsafe water, and poor sanitation. To prevent typhoid fever, it is recommended to get vaccinated, especially when travelling to areas with poor sanitation. Avoid drinking water that isn't bottled and sealed, and refrain from eating food from street vendors.
• Cholera: Cholera is commonly found in humanitarian emergencies or marginalized villages with poor sanitation. It spreads through contaminated water and causes severe dehydration and diarrhoea. To prevent cholera, maintain proper hand hygiene, only consume well-cooked food, and drink safe water.
• Giardia: This disease is caused by a parasite and usually clears up within a few weeks. However, it can cause intestinal problems for those exposed. To prevent giardia, wash your hands frequently with soap, avoid swallowing water while swimming, and only drink bottled or treated water.
• Dysentery: Dysentery is an intestinal infection characterised by severe diarrhoea and the presence of blood or mucus in the stool. It is spread through poor hygiene, contaminated food, and water, or contact with faecal matter. To prevent dysentery, practise good hand hygiene, only drink bottled water, and avoid ice in drinks and food from street vendors.
• Escherichia Coli (E. coli): E. coli is a bacteria that can be dangerous when present in certain strains. It is often found in unsafe water sources and can cause symptoms similar to dysentery. To prevent E. coli infection, avoid water that may be contaminated by human or animal faeces, thoroughly cook ground beef, and wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.
• Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water. It is particularly common in developing countries with poor sanitation. To prevent Hepatitis A, get vaccinated, only eat thoroughly cooked food, and drink bottled water.
• Salmonella: Salmonella is often contracted by ingesting food or water contaminated with faeces. Undercooked meat, egg products, fruits, and vegetables can carry Salmonella. Most people do not develop complications, but children, pregnant women, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk. To prevent Salmonella, practise good hand hygiene, thoroughly cook food, and store or freeze it promptly.

To combat water-borne diseases, it is essential to have access to safe water and to practise proper sanitation and hygiene. These measures can significantly reduce the prevalence of water-borne illnesses and their impact on communities.

Drought in Southern Angola

An ongoing drought in southern Angola has had devastating effects on families and children's education. The drought has left approximately 2.3 million people affected, with nearly half a million being children under five. The rainy season's failure in the first quarter of the year decimated crops and livestock, causing a surge in food insecurity. The situation is especially dire in Cunene province, where the number of people facing food shortages tripled from 250,000 in January to over 850,000 in March.

The water scarcity caused by the drought has severely impacted children's education. During the dry season, men typically engage in the seasonal movement of their livestock, known as transhumance, leaving children, women, and the elderly behind to fetch water and manage the household. The arduous journeys in search of water have left little time for school attendance. The drought has disrupted education in 614 out of 887 primary schools in Cunene province, affecting around 70% of the province's 214,000 students.

Rogério Kakoi, director of Ondobodhola Primary School, highlights the toll the drought is taking on education. Students often have to wake up in the early morning to take animals to water sources, impacting their energy levels and learning capacity. The school has seen a 20% dropout rate since the start of the year, and physical education classes have been cancelled due to limited water supply.

The daily struggle for water access in southern Angola is significant. Some families share deep wells with several other families, requiring hours of digging and soil removal to access water. Safety equipment is often lacking, posing additional risks. Even with these efforts, the water obtained may be insufficient or of poor quality, as described by 24-year-old Ana Leonilde, who endured the collapse of a well's clay walls during her three-hour digging endeavour.

To mitigate the drought's impact, Cunene province plans to provide 30 water tanks, each with a 5,000-litre capacity, strategically placed in affected communities. Additionally, UNICEF supports the Angolan government's response through "safe havens," including "safe haven schools," which aim to provide vulnerable communities with access to health, nutrition, water, sanitation, and protection services.

Water supply in schools

Angola is facing a water crisis, with residents of the capital, Luanda, experiencing significant water shortages. This has led to a dependence on water vendors, and the government has launched projects to improve the situation.

The water crisis in Angola has impacted schools, with more than 50% of schools lacking access to adequate sanitation facilities and about 70% having no hand-washing facilities. This situation is particularly challenging for adolescent girls, as only 28% of schools have appropriate facilities to accommodate their menstrual hygiene needs.

To address this issue, organisations like World Vision International (WVI) are partnering with schools to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. They aim to ensure that children have access to clean water while studying by installing water points. WVI's intervention in Angola focuses on improving WASH services in schools and healthcare facilities, recognising that schools provide a rapid and effective means to reach a large number of children and positively impact their health and learning.

WVI's approach to sanitation in schools is based on Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS). This approach empowers communities to manage the process of achieving open defecation-free status. They are introducing an innovative, holistic, and environmentally sound sanitation solution that addresses dignity and quality of life in schools. The proposed technology uses dry sanitation, which is accessible and easy to manage, ensuring safe treatment and disposal of human excreta. The separation design also enables children to engage in complementary gardening activities, making better use of wastewater. These facilities are adaptable to accommodate children with disabilities and are suitable for menstrual hygiene management.

Through their efforts in Angola, WVI has achieved significant results:

• 11 schools gained access to safe water through the rehabilitation of 114 water points, benefiting a total of 33,122 children.
• 63,594 people gained access to improved sanitation facilities with the construction of 6,330 latrines.
• 4,793 caregivers were educated about proper hygiene practices.

Additionally, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported a program to improve access to water and sanitation services in primary schools. One component of this program was the construction and rehabilitation of latrines and hand-washing facilities in primary schools. This program aimed to reduce water-borne diseases that contribute to student absenteeism, particularly among girls.

The Angolan government has also implemented initiatives to improve water supply and sanitation in schools. The Total Sanitation Programme led by Communities and Schools (STLCE) is one of the main programs within the Water and Sanitation Policy of the National Development Plan (PDN). The government aims to cover water supply in 85% of urban areas and 76% of rural areas, with 88% of water supply systems in operation.

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