Final blog as part of the virtual course «Tools to communicate with Impact» that the students developed on a variety of topics including health, COVID-19, connectivity and the internet.
COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill, big companies have closed, and cities have been locked-down. However, Indigenous communities continue to move between the countryside and the city as they always have. In Mexico, the Xpujil, La Moza and Valentín Gómez Farias Indigenous communities face a greater problem: the water supply. Government promises increased during 2020 informing the communities that they will bring water from springs, fountains or water from the municipality of Candelaria, but nothing has been done so far. Meanwhile, communities do not have water to implement hand washing and cleaning practices that are vital to combat and prevent the coronavirus.
Water has always been an essential element for the population since it is present in all activities of our day to day. We use it for drinking, cleaning, cooking or for personal hygiene.
In addition, water is essential for disease prevention. In the midst of a pandemic, such as COVID-19, water takes on great importance, because until today the only ways to combat the pandemic are isolation and by washing our hands.
However, in Calakmul there is no water. We have drilled 250 meters deep and no water has been found, and if it is found, it is not suitable for human consumption due to its high plaster contamination. Every 15 days, water is pumped into communities so that they have access to drinking water. If you are lucky, you can get water pumped twice a week. This problem affects even the most expensive hotels in Xpujil that have run out of water, angering tourists. But doesn’t it also cause anger to the communities? Don Alfredo, a member of the Nuevo San José community (a community located 60 km from the municipal seat) indicated that many NGOs have implemented projects to capture rainwater, but since it does not rain often, it has not worked as well as expected. So, the communities must wait for the drinking water to arrive through the pipes, which are usually broken or the parts stolen, so that means that the water arrives every 15 days.
The director of the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) does not respond on the matter, and if she does, her speech is in contradiction as she mentions that there are three aqueducts that are not working properly today.
“Who is deceiving us or telling the truth? The water problem cannot be solved with five pipes or with transportation for a year and used equipment that CONAGUA provides to the municipality. In addition to this problem, they have not resolved how to provide water service to hotels and restaurants. Who will get preferable access to stock up on water, tourists or Indigenous Populations who have lived in the region for decades?” asks the CRIPIX organization.
Written by: Nicolás Arcos – CRIPX Communicator