The people of Palmarin have once again appealed to the Head of State regarding the critical water shortage that has paralyzed the area for over a decade. Despite repeated warnings, the situation remains alarming and continues to worsen, plunging residents into deep despair. In 2026, seeing women still carrying basins to fetch water is, according to residents, a "disgrace" that contradicts official pronouncements on development. Édouard Ndong, coordinator of the heritage protection collective representing the villages of the Fimela district, denounces a blatant inequality: "We often talk about equality and equity, yet our people suffer, unlike others."

This water shortage is a major obstacle to the economic development of an area rich in potential. Residents lament that their economic activities, poised to reach record levels, are systematically hampered by this deficiency. The livestock sector is particularly hard hit, as farmers are unable to adequately water their herds, thus jeopardizing their livelihoods.

From a health perspective, the crisis has reached an alarming level. Édouard Ndong emphasizes that women are giving birth in extremely precarious conditions in maternity wards. He is concerned that patients may develop illnesses in a place meant to be a place of healing. Added to this is a sharp decline in sanitation: open defecation, which had almost disappeared, has resurfaced because school toilets have become unusable due to a lack of water for maintenance.

The pay-per-tanker system, which had previously served as a backup solution, has proven inadequate and can no longer meet the population's basic needs. Faced with this persistent hardship, the residents of Palmarin are making an urgent appeal to the government. They believe it is time for the state to take responsibility for resolving this problem once and for all. In Palmarin, thirst is no longer just an infrastructure issue; it has become a symbol of suffering that demands urgent action to guarantee access to a fundamental right.