Geospatial Solutions for Clean Water Access: Empowering Kumba with Safe Potable Water Infrastructure

This nonprofit initiative was driven by the critical need to provide access to safe and clean drinking water in Kumba, Cameroon, where displaced populations and host communities suffer from severe water scarcity and WASH-related diseases. The project aimed to identify, rehabilitate, and expand water access points using innovative GIS technology and participatory community engagement.

Beginning with the comprehensive mapping of existing water resources, the project leveraged GIS Cloud tools to collect data on functional and nonfunctional water taps and identified gaps in water accessibility. The team engaged the local community, conducted needs assessments, and collected data to design solutions that would rehabilitate disused water points and increase the number of outlets.

Despite significant challenges, such as militant lockdowns, the COVID-19 pandemic, and financial constraints, the project was executed in phases: data collection, analysis, rehabilitation planning, and public mapping via an online portal. This portal provided accessible and actionable insights into water availability, empowering local governments, NGOs, and the community to collaboratively address water access issues.