Cameroon commemorates World Water Day amid deepening water crisis

Cameroonians have commemorated the 24th edition of World Water Day at a time when water seems to be a rare commodity in the country. The situation facing inhabitants of some neighbourhoods in the nation’s capital like Damas, in Bokwango and Buea Town quarters in Buea including Garoua and other towns and cities across the country can be painted as horrible. 

Many families depend on poor water sources like wells and streams. Middle class families and the financially stable have constructed boreholes and water catchment tanks. It is commonplace to see queues of people around public taps and streams, waiting to carry the precious liquid in containers.

The young and the old regularly travel across long distances with pick-up vehicles to carry water in large containers to be preserved at home. The thirst and insufficient water has caused some to depend on mineral water while others drink sachet water of sometimes doubtful quality.