The transformative power of community action: improving access to safe drinking water in Douala, Cameroon


Venue : Cameroon  

In 2025, Douala advanced safe drinking water access through a WHO-supported community governance model. Beginning in the Brazzaville neighborhood during a cholera outbreak, the city established locally managed Water Management Committees, trained residents in WASH practices, and rehabilitated water points. The model rapidly scaled across districts, resulting in the creation of nine committees, the rehabilitation or construction of over 15 boreholes, and improved water access for approximately 37,500 residents. This case illustrates how participatory urban governance can strengthen water security in high-risk urban settings.

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