Be Island’s inhabitants are desperate for water as drought conditions leave them helpless.

Rain is the only source of fresh water on Be Island and due to the drought and dryness, the people living here have no way to collect any water. Be Island - An Binh Commune, Ly Son Island District, Quang Ngai Province, is located about 6 kilometres away from the centre of its island district and due to its geographical location, has no groundwater supply. Locals here had to build concrete water tanks that collect rainwater from their roof through a gutter system in order to have water for everyday use. However, because of the drought conditions over the past few months, the water is now scarce, and all the self-made water containers on the island have been left bone dry.

Recently, to help locals cope with the drought, Be Island authorities distributed 1 cubic metre of freshwater from the island’s common 280 cubic-metre reserve tank to every household leaving a tiny trail of water with sediment at the bottom. This water is very dirty, but the children of the island still come everyday after lunch and use this water to rinse themselves, after having their saltwater bath at sea.

The Ly Son District People’s Committee reportedly deducted an amount of VND 40 million (USD 2,000) from the district’s reserve funds to buy freshwater for Be Island from Lon Island. The price for each cubic metre of water has increased to VND 150,000 - 180,000 (USD 7 - 9), so the amount of water purchased was only 200 cubic metres of water. According to An Binh Commune authorities, if the severe drought continues until July 10, then Lon Island will also run out of their freshwater source and be unable to provide anymore water for Be Island.

Be Island.

Creative way to collect rainwater, the only possible source of freshwater on the island.

Empty water tanks due to drought.

Children bathing themselves in dirty water left at the bottom of the common freshwater tank.

Freshwater bought from Lon Island.

A local relieved to have freshwater pumped into her water tank.

Kids standing in basins to have a bath. This water can be reused later to clean the floor or water the garden.

Saltwater collected from the sea to wash dishes and bathe with.