“Because there is no water, there is no life.” This is how Maxon Aubourg, a resident of the area, summed up the severity of the situation in an interview with Magik9 on September 7, 2026. Residents of Berlote and the surrounding localities are forced to travel long distances to obtain water, sometimes by motorcycle, sometimes by renting equipment, according to testimonies gathered. An additional burden for families already weakened. “Even those who raise livestock have difficulty finding water for their animals to drink. It is really difficult,” Aubourg said.

Dried-Up Rivers, Isolated Communities