Drinking Water in Havana: Soutien Direct International Launches Its New Program

In Havana, having water at home has become a daily concern for many families. Long power outages, disruptions at pumping stations, and equipment breakdowns make the water supply difficult and irregular. For older adults with limited mobility, this situation poses an additional challenge: how can they get water when they can’t go get it themselves?

Soutien Direct International is officially launching its program to provide access to drinking water in Havana to help the most vulnerable people. Thanks to the efforts of our team on the ground and the support of our donors, we are organizing the delivery of two 20-liter containers of drinking water per family—a total of 40 liters—with the possibility of renewing these supplies based on needs and available resources.

When Power Outages Also Leave Families Without Water

The consequences of power outages go far beyond a lack of lighting. Without power, pumping stations can no longer operate normally, and water distribution is interrupted. Equipment breakdowns exacerbate these difficulties and can prolong the wait, even after power is restored.

In residential buildings, water supplies are running low, and even the simplest tasks—such as drinking, preparing a meal, or maintaining personal hygiene—are becoming difficult. For residents on the upper floors, getting water to their homes presents yet another challenge.

Tanker trucks that are insufficient to meet the needs

Deliveries by tanker trucks provide essential support, but they are not enough to meet the needs of the entire affected population. Nor do these deliveries guarantee that everyone will have access to water.

You have to be able to get to the distribution point, wait there, and carry heavy containers back to your home. Even for an independent person, this requires some effort. For someone who is elderly, ill, or living with a disability, this task may be impossible without assistance.

Water may be available on the street, yet remain inaccessible to someone who cannot leave their home.

Reaching out to people who are unable to travel

Our program aims to reduce this barrier by delivering safe drinking water directly to the homes of the people we serve. We pay special attention to older adults with limited mobility, people living with disabilities, and vulnerable families with little support.

Our presence on the ground allows us to identify these needs and organize deliveries. In the areas where we operate—particularly in downtown Havana—this aid helps address a challenge that adds to an already long list of daily concerns.

Each delivery of two 20-liter containers provides a family with a supply of drinking water and spares them the hardship of carrying this heavy load home. Renewing this assistance—based on needs and available resources—allows us to continue providing support when water supply issues persist.

Working Together to Make Safe Drinking Water Accessible

This new program complements our food assistance efforts for vulnerable families. It shares the same goal: to provide practical assistance tailored to the needs of the people we support in Havana.

Your contribution helps us purchase drinking water and ensure it reaches the beneficiaries. Every donation supports these efforts and allows us to continue making deliveries.

Thank you to all the contributors and volunteers who make this initiative possible.