A Cuban mother recently took to Facebook to express her frustration over the dire conditions she faces while caring for her child, who has cerebral palsy, amidst ongoing power outages and water shortages.
Visibly exhausted and on the verge of tears, Nercy Álvarez Valdés recorded her testimony, declaring, "I can't take this country's situation any longer. Truly, I can't take it anymore." Her video has garnered over 126,000 views.
Álvarez reveals that her household receives only three hours of electricity daily, leading to "entire nights without power." Unable to charge a fan, she spends the nights fanning her son with a piece of cardboard to help him sleep.
The lack of water compounds the situation. "We haven't had water for a week," she reports. Without a working washing machine and unable to afford disposable diapers—which cost between 6,000 and 8,000 Cuban pesos—Nercy resorts to using cloth diapers that require hand-washing, a task she cannot perform.
"I’m not asking for luxuries. I just want to wash my son’s cloths by hand with water," she pleads. She adds, "My son needs hygiene. Understand, he's been urinating and defecating since birth. I’ve never stopped washing cloth diapers."
The video concludes with a statement reflecting her deep frustration: "I know the priority isn't the people, it's the revolution, but I need you to think a little about the beings living here."
The Plight of the Vulnerable in a Worsening Crisis
Nercy's situation is far from unique. In June, another Cuban mother reported being denied an ambulance due to a "lack of fuel" needed to transport her son, who has cerebral palsy, a tracheostomy, and requires constant oxygen.
That same month, a mother in Santa Clara disclosed that to discharge her baby with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, she was required to acquire a photovoltaic kit and emergency oxygen, largely due to the power outages.
The water crisis in Cuba is directly linked to these blackouts. Approximately 87% of Cuba's water systems rely on the National Electric System to pump water. By the end of May, nearly 2.7 million Cubans lacked regular access to potable water, and about 10 million faced intermittent supply, according to official reports.
As the regime fails to provide concrete solutions, Cuban mothers with severely ill children continue to turn to social media to highlight the issues that state institutions cannot—or will not—address.
Understanding the Impact of Power and Water Shortages in Cuba
How do power outages affect daily life in Cuba?
Power outages disrupt daily activities, limit access to essential services, and severely impact those with specific health needs, such as requiring medical equipment that relies on electricity.
What is the connection between power outages and water shortages in Cuba?
Most of Cuba’s water systems depend on electricity to pump water, so when there are blackouts, water supply becomes irregular or completely unavailable, affecting millions.
Why do Cuban mothers use social media to voice their concerns?
Social media serves as a platform for Cuban mothers to highlight issues and seek help, particularly when state institutions fail to address their grievances or offer solutions.