BOLIVIA. Sucre: During the month of November, various neighbourhoods in Sucre experienced a lack of regular water supply. The Comité Municipal de Reducción de Riesgos y Atención de Desastres (Comurade) raised an orange alert in the region on Friday, 27 November.
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Water supply has remained regular in the centre of the city and nearby areas; however, only 30 minutes away from the city, hundreds of people have been experiencing a lack of this essential element of survival.
In an interview with Transcontinental Times, residents from nearby areas said they were used to this situation. They added that they need to get up late at night or early in the first hours of the morning to collect water since the water supply is unreliable during the day.
Water crisis of 2016
Not only Latin America, but the whole world witnessed the Bolivian water crisis in 2016 when the whole country found itself in the middle of its worst water crisis in the last 25 years to that date. In 2016, the former president, Evo Morales Ayma had to declare a national emergency.
2020 has already been a challenge due to COVID-19. Adding a water crisis, especially when water is so essential for health, is creating unrest among the citizens as they look to the government for support.
Parks remain lush while people are parched
Although the orange alert was raised and the media have informed the population of a possible new water crisis in Sucre, the parks and green areas of the city remain as green and lush as every November.
Despite the fact that various areas surrounding the city have been experiencing a lack of water and even cuts during some days, city hall has made it a priority to keep the parks well hydrated.
Contingencies in place but citizens must also take responsibility
ELAPAS, the potable water supplier in Sucre, has reassured the population. As part of their contingency plan, ELAPAS has 70 water tanks ready to deliver water in such circumstances.
In an interview with Transcontinental Times, Alex Salinas, a resident, said angrily that the authorities of this city lack real action and wait for crises to happen before acting. He added that it is also people who should take responsibility.
Although Carnaval does not take place until February, Alex criticized people’s carelessness. People feel entitled to partying and playing with water even when the water crisis has been a great worry for the last ten years.
