I'm back in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a month after visiting Oxfam's cholera emergency project in the town. This time I'm here to talk to people who've been displaced by recent violence in North Kivu province.

Since the end of last year, the United Nations estimates 300,000 people have fled fighting in the ethnically diverse region, much of it between Congo's army and troops loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda.

I wake up to the sound of water tapping against my window, and immediately my thoughts turn to the displaced people I'll meet today. I imagine they must have spent a sleepless night in their makeshift shelters.

By the time we leave, the rain has picked up considerably, and I'm glad I've got a rain jacket, a warm office to go to and a hot cup of coffee - luxuries around here.

At the office, the engineering team are in a morning meeting with Oxfam's local partner, Action Sante Femme (ASAF - Action, Health and Women). Afterwards, ASAF technician Richard Katshongeri tells me, "If [we] do not intervene now, the water system will not be able to cope with the demands being put on it by the new arrival of communities and people will not have access to safe drinking water. Instead they will have to collect water from the lake."

This will put them at risk of being attacked, particularly women and children who traditionally do household chores like fetching water, Richard explains. They could also contract water-borne diseases.

When we arrive at the first settlement, our vehicle is quickly surrounded by a large number of people. Some appear to be soaked to the bone, and others cover their heads with plastic sheeting or "kikwembe", a traditional thin cotton fabric with colourful designs, worn by the local women.

The settlement's president, Deo Nkundio, approaches us, eager to let us know what the community needs. "We have no water or medicine," he says. "Most people here have to go and get water from the nearby lake, which is about 45 minutes away by foot.

"There are mothers here, delivering their children in this environment - we really need help. We want the international community and our government to bring us peace. If there was peace we would want to return home but until then we will have to stay here. Just look around you, this situation is deplorable."

WATER OR FOOD?

A few metres away, I meet Devota and her family outside the shelter she's managed to put together. She tells me how she gets water - something many of us take for granted when we turn the tap on in the morning.

"I have to go to the lake," she explains. "Sometimes I buy water from other people. It is about 100 francs ($0.22) per container. I need about two a day. On one day I use the little money that I get to buy water, and the next day I use what I have to buy food."

Devota makes money by begging and washing clothes for other people in the city. She balances her time between fetching water and trying to earn a living so she can feed her family.

But since she's been separated from members of family, life has become harder. "Some of my family have fled to Rwanda; during the displacement we lost some family members," she tells me. "My husband went over to Uganda and I am here with my three children."

All the more reason why it's important for Oxfam and ASAF to rehabilitate water systems close to the settlements. The average income here is 100-150 francs per day ($0.22-0.33). The repairs will reduce the amount of time it takes people to get water, freeing them up to provide food for themselves and their families.

They'll also be less exposed to the dangers en route to the lake. I hear throughout the day of people's fear of attacks when collecting water from Lake Kivu.

The rain turns heavier again. Considering the weather, it's ironic that people still struggle to access safe drinking water - and I'm glad Oxfam is going to address this problem in the coming weeks.

Taking a closer look at what some call home for now, I'm astonished by the skill that has gone into making these temporary structures of long sticks covered with banana leaves.

Is it because people in Northern Kivu have been forced from their homes more than once - whether by natural disasters or conflict - that they've acquired this capacity to survive?

Later on, I'm more than grateful to be back in my own temporary home with its sturdy brick walls, eating a hot meal with colleagues and listening to music.

The settlement I visited may be only a short distance away, but our lives are still miles apart when it comes to meeting our basic needs.

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