Fiona is thus an eloquent illustration of the situation in Guadeloupe, which has been facing a major problem for several decades: water management in the territory. Following Storm Fiona, “families have lost everything, businesses have been wiped out,” says Isabelle Amireille-Jomie, president of the Office de l’Eau Guadeloupe, the city’s equivalent of water agencies.
Access to water: the situation in Guadeloupe
During the last three decades, the problems of access to drinking water have continued to grow in Guadeloupe until reaching a critical threshold in 2020 with the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fault of a poorly maintained, mismanaged and dilapidated network. Consequences: untimely daily cuts that impact homes and public institutions such as health facilities or schools.
The role of the Guadalupe Water Office
Hence the crucial importance of the role of the Guadeloupe Water Office, which has three main missions to remedy the situation in Guadeloupe: the study and monitoring of water resources, aquatic and coastal environments and their uses. But also, advice and technical assistance to project owners, training and information in the field of water management and aquatic environments. Finally, it is also responsible, at the proposal of the Water and Biodiversity Committee, for the programming and financing of actions and works.
In addition, the Guadalupe Water Office is also an important actor in the Overseas Water Plan through the implementation of its PPI (Particular Intervention Plan). Among its emblematic actions: financial and technical aid, but also the launch of calls for projects addressed to the organizing entities that manage drinking water services.
After Fiona, the historic storm, torrential rain…
The traumatic episode called “Fiona” that occurred in mid-September was compounded by torrential rains at the beginning of November that caused flooding and landslides… Although the families have not yet been relocated after the passage of the historic storm, this new extreme climatic phenomenon has added to the tragedy of Guadeloupeans.
More than ever, the Island is under tension… More than ever, the Guadalupe Water Office is mobilizing and redoubling its efforts to bring Guadalupe out of its state of crisis. To better understand the concrete actions that it carries out in its territory, we received Isabelle Amireille-Jomie, its president, and Dominique Laban, its director, who explained to us what the future looks like to open a new, more favorable era…
This content was produced with Observatoire de la santé. The BFM BUSINESS editorial team was not involved in the production of this content.
Source: BFM TV
