Decades-long water crisis deepens, as taps run dry for desperate Comorians

Residents of Moroni, the capital of Comoros, are facing severe water shortages as supplies arrive only every few weeks and often last for just a few hours.

Many households leave taps open in anticipation of the limited supply, while others rely on private water distributors as prices continue to rise. A jerrycan of water that once cost 30 cents now sells for around 50 cents. During the dry season, demand has increased, putting further pressure on water suppliers who struggle to meet the needs of residents.

The city’s aging pumping system, built in the late 1970s, has struggled to keep up with population growth. Moroni now has an estimated population of around 150,000 people. The government and authorities are working on short-term measures to improve supply, while longer-term projects aim to build new infrastructure and provide more reliable access to water.