Water is life, and in Mayotte more than anywhere else. Hundreds of thousands of liters of water were sent from Reunion and France. But these bottles are only now arriving in Mayotte, a week after the devastating passage of Cyclone Chido. In Mamoudzou, the first public distribution of water packs took place on Saturday 21 December as in the disadvantaged district of Kawéni.
In the neighborhood square, in single file, hundreds of people rush to collect a few bottles under police surveillance.
“It’s simple, there is a ‘barrier’ which was put in place this morning to welcome all the inhabitants of Kawéniexplains a police officer. And they are already controlled with people from the city, municipal police plus mediation and security agents.”
Controls because water is rationed with a pack of six bottles per household. “You calm down!” Some tensions appear during the distribution. The inhabitants are thirsty. Some try to cut the line. “People only think about themselves, exclaims a woman in line. We are forced to queue until the very beginning and they are passing through the small barriers to get the water.”
“I'm tired, I'm overwhelmed. We're all overwhelmed, and we're not united.”
A resident of Kawéniat franceinfo
Even if drinking water has been restored to most Mahorais homes, outages are frequent, in particular because of the dilapidation of the installations. Furthermore, those who live in slums are, for the most part, not connected to the network. It is difficult to demand discipline, especially from those who, like Abdounassouf, live in the heights, in precarious housing. There, there has been no running water for over a week. “Not everyone can get tap water, because there is not enough pressure to reach the heights,” explains Abdounassouf.
Tap water is back in the vast majority of homes connected to the network but for fear of further cuts, Sitrati is taking the lead : “At home there are some, but you still have to have provisions. I came to collect a pack of water, which will be enough for the week.”
Water distributed in the disadvantaged district of Kawéni in Mayotte, a week after the passage of Cyclone Chido – Report by Boris Loumagne and Hélène Langlois.
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In two hours, the 18 000 liters of water from the shipping container are dispensed. Unfortunately, there won't be something for everyone. “We arrived late, the distribution is finisheddeplores a woman. But I am ready to wait today and tomorrow for water.” On the Mamoudzou town hall side, we want to be optimistic for the days to come. Distributions will intensify, we are told. The agents will also go door to door to deliver packs of water to vulnerable people.
