Residents of Old Havana gathered on Monday night at the intersection of Egido and Acosta streets to protest the ongoing water shortage that has affected them for over ten days, as the government failed to provide any solution. The protest started around 9 p.m., with locals blocking the street using stones and water buckets, according to a video shared by the independent outlet Cubanet.
Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the police closely monitored the event. Witnesses told Cubanet that the protesters dispersed and returned home after the government sent a water truck to the area. However, the water crisis in this part of the city is not a new issue; it is a recurring problem for the residents each year.
Last year, residents of Egido Street also blocked the road to protest the lack of water. Again, the government temporarily alleviated the situation by sending a water truck, but the underlying issues remained unresolved. The tense situation with water supply and the poor condition of the country's hydraulic infrastructure has also led residents in other provinces to protest for this basic right that the regime consistently fails to provide.
Approximately 15 days ago, residents in the ECOA 13 district in Santa Clara protested after being without potable water for over two months. The demonstrators blocked the avenue, demanding the restoration of the service and chanting "we want water."
Similarly, social media posts from residents of Santiago de Cuba highlighted the poor quality of the water they receive, which is often dirty and looks like chocolate. The water crisis in this province keeps its residents on edge, sometimes forcing them to resort to extreme measures.
Analyzing the Water Crisis in Cuba
This situation warrants a deeper analysis, especially since the country has received international aid to improve its hydraulic infrastructure. For instance, ties with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) allowed Cuba to receive a donation of $102.3 million to enhance its water infrastructure.
According to the official agency ACN, these funds date back over two decades (since 2003), during which five loans were granted for the rehabilitation of water supply networks, sewer systems, and storm drainage projects. Of the amount given to the state-run National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), 84.7 percent has been utilized, supposedly benefiting 1,454,000 residents in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Havana.
However, recent data shows that thousands of people lack daily water supply, primarily due to power outages, but also because of drought, broken distribution networks, and corruption. Last year, about two million people received water service every three days or more, and 478 communities lacked complete or partial water supply networks. This severely impacts the quality of life and health, forcing people to rely on alternative systems to obtain this essential resource.
Understanding Cuba's Water Shortage Crisis
Given the recurring water supply issues in Cuba, many questions arise about the root causes and potential solutions. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to provide more clarity on the situation.
Why is there a constant water shortage in Old Havana?
The recurring water shortage in Old Havana is primarily due to the poor state of the hydraulic infrastructure, frequent power outages, and inadequate government response.
How has the government addressed the water crisis?
The government has provided temporary relief by sending water trucks, but has not addressed the underlying infrastructure problems, leading to recurring issues.
What international aid has Cuba received to improve its water infrastructure?
Cuba has received a donation of $102.3 million from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) and several loans for water infrastructure projects, but the results have been insufficient.
What is the impact of the water crisis on residents' lives?
The water crisis affects the quality of life and health of residents, forcing them to rely on alternative and often inadequate methods to obtain water.