Expanded distribution to deal with a major crisis. The island of Mayotte is reaching the end of its water reserves and the State and communities are preparing to have to distribute bottled water to the entire population from Monday, whatever the logistical and human challenges.
These distributions to the most vulnerable required the gradual arrival of firefighters and Civil Security soldiers in Mayotte and their number was increased to 150 to prepare for the transition to water distribution to the entire population. The first reinforcements arrived on September 18 to help distribute water to nearly 60,000 people with disabilities, aged over 65, pregnant women and infants.
One liter per day per person
The last joined the 101st French department on Tuesday for the expansion of distributions to the entire population, i.e. at least 310,000 people, from November 20. A promise from Philippe Vigier, Minister Delegate for Overseas Territories. In total, “330,000 liters of water per day will be distributed,” he announced during his last visit to the island on November 2. Or one liter per person, daily.
Because the poorest department in France is currently deprived of running water more than two days out of three. The cause: an exceptional drought coupled with a lack of infrastructure and investment, in a territory which, under pressure from illegal immigration particularly from the neighboring Comoros, is experiencing demographic growth of 4% per year.
“We have been waiting for these distributions to the entire population for a long time. Now, there is still concern on the part of the population: we do not know how these bottles will be distributed and if everyone will really be able to benefit from them,” asks Safina Soula, president of the Mayotte 2018 citizens’ collective.