Drinking water and sanitation

Access to drinking water and sanitation has direct health impacts. Well-functioning systems reduce water-induced diseases, which in turn improves the population’s performance capacity and employability. Sustainable development and water resources management are basic prerequisites for agriculture and industry. Due to its huge significance, water is a relevant factor in poverty reduction. In its Poverty Reduction Strategy, the Government of Burundi also places a high priority on supplying drinking water as a way of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

German development cooperation has in-depth, internationally recognised experience in the water sector, and apart from brief disruptions due to the civil war, has operated in Burundi’s water sector since the 1980s. During negotiations with the Government of Burundi in 2005, Germany agreed to make water a priority area, and it confirmed this at the negotiations in 2009.

German activities are implemented in close cooperation with other donors, with whom the work is shared, and is supplemented by other German development cooperation programmes and projects. The activities are carried out at policy, regional and local levels.

GTZ, the German Development Service (DED) and KfW Entwicklungsbank will strengthen political, institutional and operational structures in the water sector and rebuild or rehabilitate the infrastructure. The objective is to provide the population with regular access to the water supply facilities, efficiently and effectively.