Angola's Water Mystery: What's In It?

Angola is a country in west-central Southern Africa with a population of around 37.2 million people. Despite being one of the most water-rich countries in Africa, nearly half of its population does not have access to clean drinking water. This is due to a combination of factors, including poor infrastructure, lack of investment in water sanitation, and the impact of external shocks to the market, such as fluctuations in oil prices. The situation has led to a high risk of waterborne diseases, with diarrheal diseases being the main cause of mortality among children. However, there are ongoing efforts by the Angolan government and global organizations to increase water access and improve sanitation in the country.

The impact of Angola's water issues on children

Angola is facing a severe drought, considered the worst in 40 years, which has impacted water sources and exacerbated existing water issues. This has had a profound impact on children in several ways.

Firstly, water scarcity disrupts children's education. Due to the drought, many children in Angola have to travel long distances to fetch water for their families and livestock, causing them to miss school or fall behind in their studies. This is particularly true for girls, who are often responsible for collecting water. In some cases, schools have closed due to student absences, and physical education classes have been cancelled.

Secondly, insufficient and unsafe water increases health risks for children. Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of mortality among Angolan children, closely linked to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. Cholera and typhoid are also prevalent during the rainy season due to the lack of clean water and the practice of open-air defecation. Malnutrition is widespread, with half of children under five suffering from anaemia, a third being stunted, and one-fifth being underweight.

Thirdly, water scarcity affects children's overall well-being and development. Angola's Human Capital Index score reflects high rates of childhood malnutrition and mortality, which are influenced by limited access to safe water and sanitation. This impacts their potential for growth and development, including their ability to study and learn.

The Government of Angola, with support from organisations like UNICEF and USAID, is working to address these issues. Efforts include improving access to water and sanitation facilities, promoting hygiene practices, and providing essential health and nutrition services to vulnerable children. However, progress is slow, and more needs to be done to ensure that all children in Angola have access to safe water and sanitation, reducing the impact of water issues on their health, education, and overall well-being.

The link between water and Angola's economy

Angola is one of Africa's most water-endowed countries, with an abundance of rainfall and rivers. However, despite this apparent abundance, the country has struggled with water scarcity and a lack of access to clean water, which has had significant implications for its economy and development.

Angola's water resources are vital for various economic sectors, including agriculture, industry, and energy production. The country's agricultural sector, which employs a significant portion of the population, relies heavily on irrigation from rivers and groundwater sources. In recent years, consecutive droughts in the southern provinces have impacted water availability for farming, threatening food security and agricultural productivity.

Additionally, water plays a crucial role in industrial development. For example, the N'Gola beer factory in Lubango, a major source of revenue for the municipality, depends on a water source of exceptional quality. However, water scarcity due to erratic weather patterns and increasing demand has become a bottleneck for the company's expansion and the region's economic growth.

Moreover, Angola's energy sector is heavily reliant on hydropower, with 70-83% of the country's power generated from hydroelectric dams. The availability of water resources to power these dams is essential for sustainable energy production and contributes to the country's economic development.

The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities has also had economic implications for Angola. According to UNICEF, almost half of the country's population lacks proper access to clean water. This has led to outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera, which not only impact public health but also affect labour productivity and economic growth.

The Government of Angola has recognised the importance of water and sanitation in economic development and has invested in initiatives such as the "Water for All" programme. These efforts are supported by international organisations such as USAID and the World Bank, which aim to increase access to potable water and improve sanitation and hygiene facilities.

Overall, water plays a crucial role in Angola's economy, from agriculture and industry to energy production and public health. The country's development and economic growth are closely tied to its ability to manage and provide access to its water resources sustainably.

Water-related diseases in Angola

Angola has a high prevalence of water-related diseases due to limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Here is an overview of the situation:

Angola's water resources are abundant, with ample rainfall and numerous rivers. However, despite being a critical component of human capital and economic development, access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation remains a significant challenge. According to government figures, only about 42% of Angola's population has access to clean water, and just under 60% have appropriate sanitation.

This lack of access to clean water and sanitation services has severe health implications, particularly for children. Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of mortality in Angola, and poor water and sanitation conditions exacerbate the problem. According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and increased access to clean water and nutritional foods are key to combating diarrheal diseases.

Additionally, the practice of open-air defecation, coupled with inadequate drainage systems, creates breeding grounds for malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Malaria is another significant water-related health issue in Angola, contributing to almost half of under-five deaths in the country.

Typhoid fever and hepatitis A are also prevalent in Angola and are transmitted through contaminated food or water. The lack of access to safe drinking water puts a vast number of people at risk of contracting these water-borne illnesses.

The impact of these diseases is profound, contributing to high infant and child mortality rates and stunted growth and development among children who survive. Angola's Human Capital Index score, which reflects childhood malnutrition and mortality rates, is below the average for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Addressing the Issue:

The Angolan government has recognized the importance of improving water and sanitation infrastructure and has invested in initiatives such as the "Water for All" program. However, these efforts have been hindered by supply problems, faulty machinery, and poor planning.

International organizations such as USAID, UNICEF, and WaterAid are also actively involved in improving access to safe water and sanitation facilities in Angola. Through community governance mechanisms and projects targeting primary schools, they aim to reduce water-borne diseases and their impact on education and health.

Despite these efforts, Angola still has a long way to go in ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation for its citizens, which is crucial for improving health outcomes and overall development.

The role of international organisations in improving Angola's water access

Angola is a country with a wealth of natural resources, including water. However, its low level of human development is at odds with its potential for economic prosperity. This paradox is partly explained by the social disruption and physical destruction caused by 27 years of civil war, which ended in 2002. As a result, Angola's water and sanitation infrastructure has suffered, and the country now faces significant challenges in providing its citizens with sustainable access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

International organisations have played a crucial role in improving Angola's water access and sanitation situation. One notable example is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Through its Development Grants Program (DGP) initiative, USAID has supported the Government of the Republic of Angola's (GRA) efforts to increase access to water by improving the management and operations of water systems. The MOGECA model, supported by USAID, is based on four key principles: decentralised management of water systems, community participation, cost recovery, and institutional partnership. This model aims to increase access to potable water at a reasonable cost and improve sanitation and hygiene facilities.

USAID has also worked to strengthen the capacity and engagement of local communities and organisations in water resource management. Their Regional Resilient Water Project focuses on transboundary water governance and inclusive decision-making mechanisms for the Kwando Basin. Additionally, they support programmes to improve access to water and sanitation in primary schools, reducing water-borne diseases and absenteeism among students, particularly girls.

Another organisation that has contributed to improving water access in Angola is SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL. This aid organisation focused its activities on the areas surrounding Mungo and Mussende, implementing food security, drinking water access, and sanitation programs. They facilitated access to drinking water by rehabilitating water infrastructure, building water networks, and installing latrines. They also constructed wells and fountains and created water management committees to ensure sustainable water management.

The World Bank has also played a role in Angola's water sector development. Together with the Angolan government, they undertook a WASH Sector Diagnostic to identify service delivery problems and understand the inequalities in access to WASH services. This analysis identified critical gaps and potential opportunities, including the need for increased investment in the WASH sector and improvements in governance and institutional capacity.

The challenges of water infrastructure in Angola

Angola is one of the most water-rich countries in Africa, with an abundance of rivers and rainfall. However, decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, and lack of investment have left the country with significant challenges in providing its citizens with clean water and sanitation services. These issues disproportionately affect women and children and hinder the country's economic development.

One of the main challenges in Angola's water infrastructure is the lack of access to clean water for a large portion of the population. According to a UNICEF report, almost half of the population does not have proper access to clean water. This has severe health consequences, as the lack of clean water and sanitation contributes to high rates of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Diarrheal diseases are a leading cause of mortality among children, and the country has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world.

The situation is particularly dire in rural and underserved areas, where communities rely on unsafe water sources such as shallow surface wells, which are often contaminated, or untreated river water. In the urban centre of Luanda, only 37% of the population relies on connected water services, while others depend on private tanker trucks, public standpipes, or illegal water connections. Inconsistent access to water in Luanda has also led to the growth of private water lorry companies, which charge high prices for water, further burdening low-income families.

Another challenge is the lack of investment and proper maintenance of water infrastructure. For many years, Angola's economy was heavily reliant on oil, which left the country vulnerable to external market shocks. As a result, there was little investment in water infrastructure, and the existing infrastructure fell into disrepair. The situation has improved in recent years, with the government investing in water and sanitation initiatives such as the "Water for All" program. However, there are still issues with maintenance and inconsistent access, even in the capital city.

The impact of limited access to water is far-reaching. It affects the health and well-being of Angolans, particularly children, and contributes to high rates of malnutrition and mortality. It also has economic consequences, as families spend significant time and money on acquiring safe water, and women and children spend a disproportionate amount of time collecting water, reducing their ability to contribute to the economy in other ways.

To address these challenges, Angola has been working with international organizations such as the World Bank and USAID to improve access to water and sanitation services. These efforts include investing in new infrastructure, rehabilitating existing systems, and promoting community management of water resources. However, there are still significant gaps and bottlenecks that need to be addressed, including population growth, weak institutional capacity, and lack of quality data.

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