Paquitequete, one of Pemba’s most historic and culturally rich neighborhoods, continues to face a deepening water crisis that has reached critical levels. Despite its significance to the city, the area remains among the hardest hit by a prolonged shortage of potable water.
The most affected are the most vulnerable families, many of whom have gone for weeks or even months without regular access to clean water. Residents describe the situation as unbearable and far beyond acceptable limits.
Many households report that not a single drop comes out of their taps, even as water bills continue to arrive. “It’s very painful to see water spilling into the streets of Pemba from broken pipes, while in our neighborhood people are suffering without a drop to drink,” said one resident.
In the informal water market, a 20-liter bucket can cost up to 10 meticais an unmanageable expense for many families already struggling to make ends meet.
Despite the cost, some residents walk long distances searching for leaking pipes, often collecting stagnant water that is unsafe for human consumption.
“This isn’t fair, but it’s our reality,” said another local. “While we climb mountains to buy water from the homes of the privileged, so much of it is being wasted elsewhere.”
The residents of Paquitequete are
calling for urgent intervention from authorities and service providers to
restore their right to safe, accessible water a basic need that remains
painfully out of reach. Mozanorte
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