Rumonge : residents overwhelmed by an endless water shortage

Residents in the town of Rumonge (southwest of the country) say they are overwhelmed. For more than four days, all taps have been dry. They are forced to draw water from Lake Tanganyika or from other areas bordering Rumonge. They ask Regideso to resolve this problem as quickly as possible. The provincial manager of Regideso, the state company in charge of water and electricity distribution, speaks of a breakdown in a supply pipe, which is currently being resolved.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

A back and forth movement is observed every morning in all streets leading towards Lake Tanganyika. Women, young people and children, jerry cans in hand, go in search of water to use in households.

They indicate that they have not had running water for more than four days.

“We no longer have drinking water at home. Life has become difficult for us,” say residents of Rumonge who fear uncleanness-related diseases.

Those who cannot draw water from Lake Tanganyika buy it. They say they are overwhelmed by this situation.

“We buy a single jerry can of drinking water for more than two thousand francs,” they indignantl say.

Women searching for water on Lake Tanganyika in Rumonge, July 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)

Public structures including hospitals indicate that they are facing enormous difficulties in obtaining supplies in a context aggravated by another shortage : that of fuel.

Residents in the town of Rumonge fear uncleanness-related diseases. They ask Regideso to hurry up and resolve this situation.

Zabulon Nzokizwanayo, head of the Regideso branch in Rumonge province, talks about a breakdown that occurred in the Dama plain (separating the Rumonge and Kizuka zones, in Rumonge district). He indicates that technical services are at work and estimates that before long, water will be available again in the town of Rumonge.

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A bicycle taxi rider carries jerry cans of drinking water for sale in the town of Rumonge, July 2024 (SOS Médias Burundi)