Infrastructure
Asmara: The Eritrean capital struggling with water shortages
BBC · 2 weeks ago · Read the Full Story on BBC
AI SUMMARY
Residents of the Eritrean capital Asmara are facing a severe, prolonged water crisis driven by climate change, aging infrastructure, and military-focused resource allocation.
- Asmara's streets are filled with yellow and blue water jerrycans and hand-pushed carts as residents struggle with a severe, months-long water shortage.
- BBC contacted Eritrea's Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, and the Eritrean Embassy in London for comment, but received no response.
- Residents report that the water crisis is causing health concerns, forcing families to bathe in turns, wash clothes sparingly, and leaving toilets unsanitary.
- Experts and international organizations attribute the crisis to climate change, administrative failures, and the government focusing its resources on military defense.
- The city's water system relies primarily on the Mai Nefhi and Toker dams, but water treatment centers have aged and face technical difficulties.
- Security forces halted private water tankers in 2019, and current regulations restrict tankers from distributing water except for special events like weddings and funerals.
- A fuel crisis in February further limited energy capacity and vehicle movement, causing some water storage tanks to stop operating due to high fuel costs.
- Despite government claims over the past 35 years regarding dam construction and pipe replacements, the ongoing crisis highlights persistent fundamental challenges.
Related
Djibouti, Ethiopia to Break Ground on Landmark $160 million Damerjog Petroleum Terminal
Capital Ethiopia · 2 days ago
Construction Workers Cut Cable, Causing U.S. Flight Disruptions
BBC · 4 days ago
Ethiopia-Tanzania Power Supply Trial Ends with Commercial Talks Pending
The Reporter · last week
South Sudan to Build Fula Hydropower Dam on the Nile
TIKVAH Ethiopia · last week