TITLE:
No Roads, No Services: The Tragedy of Rural Isolation
AUTHORS:
Paypay Auguste Bauma, Jean-Berckmans Bahananga Muhigwa, Emery Mudinga Mushagalusa
KEYWORDS:
Rural Isolation, Disparities, Insecurity, Well-Being
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.11,
November
28,
2025
ABSTRACT: The study was conducted in Kalehe District (South Kivu, DRC) and aimed to analyze the living conditions of rural households, their access to infrastructure, livelihoods, and factors influencing their well-being. It is based on a qualitative survey conducted among 36 groups (30 focus groups + 6 key informants). The results show considerable isolation and difficult access to services, illustrated by critical distances. Residents often travel 5 to 25 km to access a road, market, school, health center, or drinking water source. This results in isolation and poor access to healthcare, education, drinking water, and economic opportunities. The most disadvantaged areas are the Ndando, Musenyi, and Karali communities, especially isolated villages such as Chifumbi, Erunga, Murambi, and Mumbiri. Living conditions are difficult. The majority live in poorly equipped and vulnerable mud houses. Income is very low and irregular, often only coming in during the harvest season. The main activities are agriculture (mixed farming), livestock farming, and very little small-scale trade. Subsistence and agriculture rely on widespread mixed farming as a survival strategy, but this is not very monetized. Challenges include a lack of modern tools, a lack of markets, and limited product processing. Possible solutions include agricultural diversification, support for cooperatives, access to credit, and rural infrastructure. Factors hindering well-being include insecurity, isolation, rural exodus, customary conflicts, and a lack of markets. Premature deaths are linked to poverty, malnutrition, isolation, and limited access to healthcare. Social harmony and governance leave much to be desired. Tribalism and community mistrust, which undermine cohesion, are to be condemned. Local administration is considered ineffective. Development actors include NGOs, local communities, and development committees. As strategic recommendations, we emphasize opening up the region through the rehabilitation of roads and lake routes; promoting sustainable agriculture by supporting cooperatives and diversification; developing social services through the construction of schools and health centers in isolated areas; and promoting governance through local capacity building and citizen participation. Social cohesion requires community dialogue and the fight against tribalism. Territorial equity is essential. Targeted investment is needed in the most disadvantaged areas. This work highlights a complex reality but also concrete levers for transforming isolation into an opportunity for development.