Four villages supported by the Cameroon Mangrove Ecosystem Restoration & Resilience (CAMERR) project have placed reliable drinking water at the top of their needs, prompting plans for solar-powered boreholes.

When residents of Biendende were asked which community project mattered most to them, they unanimously said water.

Other improvements would be welcome, but a dependable supply of safe drinking water came first. Across Biendende, Dibombari-beach, Njouki and Yassem, community discussions revealed the same pressing concern: access to water remains unreliable, and electricity outages can last more than a week.

Residents want a system they can depend on even when the power goes off. Their preference for solar-powered boreholes reflects a practical need that shapes daily life.

These priorities are guiding community micro-projects under CAMERR, implemented by Planète Urgence with its technical partner, the Cameroon Wildlife Conservation Society (CWCS). Although each village identified several possible projects, all four emphasised the importance of a stable drinking water supply.

Listening before building

During field visits in August, CWCS and technicians inspected existing boreholes in Dibombari-beach, Njouki and Yassem to assess the work needed to rehabilitate them and convert them into motorised systems. In Biendende, they examined a suitable location for a new borehole.

Village meetings accompanied the technical visits. They provided an opportunity to discuss how the proposed works could be financed and to ensure that the plans reflected residents’ priorities.
“We have many needs, but water comes first. When electricity is unavailable for more than a week, we need a water supply we can still depend on. That is why we asked for a solar-powered borehole,” said an elderly man from Njouki, one of the villages consulted.

The proposed improvements include solar-powered pumping systems that would reduce dependence on an unreliable electricity supply. For these communities, the value of that approach is straightforward: access to water should not stop because the electricity does.

An essential service, chosen by the community

Biendende’s preference for water over any other proposed social project sends a strong message. Community development begins with listening to what people consider essential.

Reliable drinking water is fundamental to health and well-being. It also gives communities greater confidence that a basic daily need can be met. By making water a priority, residents have helped define what meaningful support should look like in their villages.

Planète Urgence and CWCS are now taking steps towards the proposed construction and rehabilitation works. The boreholes are not yet reported as completed, but the consultations and technical assessments mark an important stage in responding to the communities’ request.

The measure of success will be more than infrastructure installed. It will be whether residents can count on safe water, including during prolonged power cuts.