France’s Poorest Country is Running Out of Water
Mayotte has had little to no running water for over four months.
The French territory, located in the Indian Ocean off the Eastern coast of Africa, between Mozambique and Madagascar, has been facing a water crisis.
With a population of 310,000 people, the island is experiencing the worst drought in history since 1997.
The 2 water reservoirs have reached a “critical level of decline” and are on the verge of drying up.
According to estimates, one of the reservoirs is at 7% capacity, and another is at 6%.
This has resulted in residents experiencing water cuts and having access to only 18 hours of water every couple of days. Many reported that the water they have is contaminated and undrinkable.
The next option would have been to search for bottled water, but unfortunately, it has also become scarce.
Elsa Leduc, a humanitarian worker who moved to Mayotte from Paris, said trying to find bottled water has become a task.
“Every time I go to the supermarket, there’s no water,” she said. “I have to go to smaller shops that are a lot more expensive.”
France colonized Mayotte in 1841. It formally became a French department in 2011.
In July, the French government implemented a price freeze on bottled water. Despite this, a pack of six 1.5-litre bottles can still cost as much as 12 euros (£10.45).
Responding to the crisis, the French government shipped 600,000 liters of bottled water to the island for “vulnerable residents” and deployed soldiers to distribute the water on September 20, 2023.
They also suspended water bills, but the islanders still feel abandoned.
Simple tasks like showering, washing dishes, and cleaning have become challenging.
According to Dr. Soumeth Abasse, president of the medical committee of Mayotte’s Hospital, the island has been experiencing an “acute gastroenteritis epidemic.”
Abasse said the epidemic is caused by “contaminated water” and poor “hygiene” due to limited access to water and sanitation.
The health crisis has led to schools being closed.
“We’re always afraid of a possible explosion of these water-borne diseases,” Abasse said.
The central government is promising to drill for new springs, renovate the desalination plant, and extend the distribution of bottled water to all residents and not just the most vulnerable.
The residents are concerned that the promised solution won’t arrive soon enough, as they have heard similar assurances in the past.
Mayotte received 22 million Euros from the European Commission in 2014 for its water supply.
However, due to “irregularities in money management”, the payments for the water supply were suspended in 2021. As a result, only a small fraction of the allocated funds have been utilized so far.
Now, all hopes are on the rainy season, which starts in December.
