Water Scarcity in Cameroon: Why Some Communities Still Struggle to Get Clean Water
In many parts of Cameroon, getting clean water is still a daily struggle. In some communities, people wake up and walk long distances just to find water – even then, it might not be safe to drink.
Water is essential for daily life – used in homes, farms, schools, and industries. But without clean water, people are more likely to fall sick, miss work or school, and face even more challenges. For some areas in Cameroon, water has become hard to find, and climate change is making it worse.
Cameroon is home to over 28 million people, yet around 6 million still don’t have access to clean water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a significant portion of diseases in Cameroon are linked to unsafe or limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). While rural areas are the most affected, even cities like Douala and Yaoundé face regular water shortages.
In this article, we’ll look at the main causes of water scarcity in Cameroon, how it affects people, and what can be done to fix it.
Urban Slums: Hidden Water Crisis in Cities
Urban areas like Douala and Yaoundé might seem better off, but many residents live in informal settlements or slums where access to clean water is still a major problem. Poor drainage, overcrowding, and limited water points lead to long queues, high prices, and water-borne disease outbreaks. These communities often fall through the cracks of public infrastructure planning.
What’s Causing the Water Scarcity in Cameroon?
Water scarcity doesn’t happen overnight. It builds up over time due to a mix of natural and man-made issues. Some of the key reasons communities in Cameroon still struggle to access clean water include:
1. Pollution and Poor Hygiene
Many water sources are polluted. Rivers and lakes are used for bathing, washing clothes, and sometimes even for dumping waste. Industrial and agricultural activities also release chemicals into the water, making it unsafe without proper treatment.
2. Climate Change and Environmental Degradation
Rainfall patterns in Cameroon have become less predictable. Long dry seasons and droughts are now more common, especially in the northern regions. Deforestation also plays a part – without trees, the land can’t hold water well, leading to erosion and dried-up water sources.
3. Poor Infrastructure and Low Investment
Many areas still rely on outdated or broken water systems. Pipelines, boreholes, and storage tanks are either not available or in bad shape. In some rural areas, people have to rely on open wells or untreated rivers.
The government has not invested enough in new water infrastructure. This lack of funding affects both rural communities and growing cities.
4. Rapid Population Growth and Urbanization
As more people move into cities, the demand for water keeps rising, but the water supply doesn’t always keep up. This puts a strain on existing systems. In rural areas, larger populations also mean more water is needed for farming and daily use, but access is still limited.
5. Weak Policies and Poor Management
Some government policies meant to improve water access aren’t fully carried out. Corruption, lack of planning, and poor management also slow down progress. Although NGOs and international organizations are doing what they can, lasting change needs stronger government leadership and accountability.
How Water Scarcity Impacts Communities in Cameroon
Health Problems
Drinking or using dirty water can lead to serious illnesses. Waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery are still common in many parts of the country. Children under five are the most vulnerable, with diarrheal diseases being one of the leading causes of death, according to UNICEF.
Education and Gender Inequality
In many homes, women and girls are responsible for fetching water. This can take hours out of their day, and for girls, that often means missing school. During menstruation, some girls even skip school because they don’t have access to clean water for hygiene.
Economic Challenges
Farmers need water for their crops and livestock. Without it, food production drops and prices rise. Industries also suffer. Water is needed in factories, and when there’s not enough, work slows down and jobs are lost. It hurts both small businesses and the country’s economy at large.
Water Scarcity in Conflict-Affected Regions
Some parts of Cameroon, particularly the Northwest and Southwest regions, have faced ongoing conflict in recent years. In these areas, access to basic services, including water, has been severely disrupted. Families are displaced and water infrastructure has been destroyed or abandoned. Humanitarian organizations step in, but the need often outweighs the support. According to a report by the UN OCHA, many internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Cameroon rely on emergency water trucking or unsafe sources, increasing the risk of disease.
The Link Between Water Scarcity and Food Security
When farmers don’t have enough water for irrigation, crop yields suffer, and so does the local food supply. In Cameroon, where agriculture supports millions of livelihoods, water scarcity leads to food shortages, hunger, and rising food prices. This directly affects household income, nutrition, and national food security.
Investing in sustainable irrigation and water-efficient farming practices can improve food availability and reduce the pressure on rural communities.
What Can Be Done to Solve Water Scarcity in Cameroon?
While the problem is serious, there are real solutions that can make a difference:
1. Stronger Government Support and Policy Reforms
The government needs to invest in water supply systems – building new ones and fixing old ones. More funding, better planning, and proper enforcement of clean water policies can make a big impact.
2. Improved Infrastructure and Technology
Some helpful solutions include:
- Boreholes and Wells: Especially for rural areas.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Useful during dry seasons.
- Solar-Powered Water Purifiers: Safe and sustainable for communities with no electricity.
These technologies can help people get clean water more reliably.
3. Support from NGOs and Community Groups
Organizations like Aqua Maya are already helping by installing clean water systems in remote communities. Others, like WaterAid and UNICEF, are building wells and promoting good sanitation. These efforts are changing lives, but they need more support to reach even more people.
4. Community Action
Change also starts at the community level. When people come together to protect water sources and maintain clean habits, it makes a real difference. Local leaders can help by spreading awareness and organizing small projects like water storage or clean-up days.
5. Youth Involvement and Innovation in Water Solutions
Young Cameroonians are already coming up with smart, low-cost solutions to water challenges – from designing simple filtration devices to launching awareness campaigns on water hygiene. However, many of these ideas never scale due to lack of support or visibility.
Encouraging youth-led innovation through grants, mentorship, or inclusion in policy conversations can unlock fresh energy and creative solutions to the water crisis.
The Role of Environmental Conservation and Water Resource Management
In the Ebo Forest area, the organization SUHUCAM has been working to restore degraded forests to protect and rejuvenate water sources. By planting native tree species like raffia palm and acacia, they have successfully increased water availability for over 3,000 community members. This initiative demonstrates the critical link between environmental conservation and water resource management.
The Role of Traditional Water Practices and Local Knowledge
In some rural areas, traditional methods of collecting and preserving water are still in use. While these practices show ingenuity and adaptability, they often lack the safety and consistency needed for public health. For example, some communities rely on seasonal streams or hand-dug wells without purification.
Blending local knowledge with modern water solutions could be a sustainable way forward. Training communities on how to improve their existing systems can increase trust and long-term impact.
The Role of Women in Solving Water Challenges
While women and girls are often disproportionately affected by water scarcity, they are also key agents of change. In several rural communities, women-led water committees have been formed to oversee the maintenance of wells, promote hygiene, and advocate for sustainable practices. For example, in the Far North region, WaterAid supported a project where women were trained to manage and repair handpumps. This empowerment approach improves sustainability and ensures local ownership of water projects.
Conclusion
Water scarcity in Cameroon is a serious issue that affects millions of people every day. The lack of clean water not only harms health – it also holds back education, agriculture, and the economy.
But this problem can be solved. By addressing the root causes – like poor infrastructure, pollution, and weak policies – and working together through government support, technology, and community action, clean water can become a reality for everyone in Cameroon.
In response to this water crisis, organizations like Aqua Maya have stepped in to provide clean water solutions, especially in remote and underserved areas. Their efforts, along with those of the government and other nonprofits, are essential in making clean water accessible to all.
Access to clean water isn’t a luxury – it’s a basic human right. And every Cameroonian deserves it.
Sources
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water
2. https://www.sdiarticle4.com/prh/doc/Revised-ms_CJAST_63916_v2.pdf
4. https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2022-DON374
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378023000754
