In the El Salao neighborhood of Imías, Guantánamo, a Cuban mother, raising her two young children alone, has brought public attention to the severe challenges her family faces after enduring over five weeks without water. This crisis is severely affecting her younger daughter, who suffers from a chronic skin condition.
Sainet Yan Yun took to Facebook on August 1 to express her grievances, detailing that her home has been without water supply since June 24. She criticized the authorities' solutions as inadequate for the numerous affected families.
According to her account, the only action taken was to send a water truck once a week to a local park, intended to serve about 40 families, and only after community protests over the lack of service.
"My home is far away, and being alone with my two young children, I'm forced to carry the water myself, which has become an unsustainable task. The physical toll is immense, but the emotional pain is even greater," she shared.
The Health Risk for Her Daughter
Her most pressing concern is her youngest daughter's health. The child has been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory condition that requires regular hygiene and frequent baths to prevent complications.
"She suffers from atopic dermatitis, a painful and complex skin condition. This requires constant hygiene and specific care, but without water, her skin is deteriorating rapidly," Sainet lamented.
The photos accompanying her post depict extensive redness and peeling on her daughter's back, illustrating the physical decline due to the inability to maintain necessary care for the condition.
"Seeing her in pain and being unable to provide even the basic baths her skin needs due to a lack of water is heartbreaking," she confessed.
Appeals to Local Authorities
Sainet stated that she has repeatedly reached out to local authorities to discuss her situation, yet she claims to have received no response.
"I've approached the municipal authorities several times about the water issue, but so far, there's been no response or assistance," she expressed with frustration.
Widespread Water Crisis
Her plight is not an isolated incident. The water crisis in Guantánamo has worsened this year, significantly affecting municipalities like Imías, Baracoa, and Manuel Tames, which are among the territories identified by officials as having the most significant supply challenges.
In response to fuel shortages, the provincial government even considered using animal-drawn carts to deliver water to the population. Authorities later acknowledged that water distribution cycles in some communities stretched up to 25 days, with independent reports suggesting up to 28 days in southern areas of the province, where available water is not potable.
The situation is exacerbated by the country's reliance on electric power for water pumping systems. In Cuba, around 87% of water supply operations depend on the National Electric System, and frequent power outages worsen the scarcity.
Sainet Yan Yun's complaint joins others that have surfaced recently from various parts of the island. In the same week, another Cuban woman reported her community had gone nine months without water, while a mother in Lawton, Havana, claimed she endured 15 days without water or electricity while caring for her feverish six-year-old daughter.
In concluding her post, Sainet emphasized that she seeks no special treatment, only the acknowledgment of a fundamental right.
"I'm not asking for a favor; I'm demanding that our basic rights be respected. My daughter's health is my responsibility, but access to water is a right the authorities are obligated to ensure," she asserted.
Understanding the Water Crisis in Cuba
Why is there a water shortage in Guantánamo?
Guantánamo, like other parts of Cuba, is experiencing severe water shortages due to infrastructure challenges, reliance on electric-powered water systems, and frequent power outages. Additionally, fuel shortages have compounded the issue, affecting water distribution.
How are families coping with the lack of water?
Families are struggling to manage without regular water supply. Some rely on sporadic water deliveries from trucks, but this is often insufficient. Many have resorted to carrying water themselves, facing both physical and emotional hardships.
What actions have the authorities taken to address the crisis?
Authorities have attempted to address the water shortages by dispatching water trucks and considering alternative distribution methods like animal-drawn carts. However, these measures have proven inadequate for the affected communities.