CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Residents of this South American capital city now are under water rationing due to drought conditions brought on by the El Niño weather phenomenon.

However, for the nearby hillside neighborhood of Filas de Mariches, it is business as usual, according to an Associated Press report aired on NPR November 7.

Residents in Filas de Mariches, like others in other poor neighborhoods around Caracas, lack regular access to water due to “unchecked sprawl and inadequate investment in infrastructure,” the report said, noting that drought conditions have worsened the situation.

Residents receive their water from tanker trucks, and then haul the water to their homes, many of which can only be reached by a long, steep climb from the water distribution point.

Every two weeks Filas de Mariches resident Naisi Obando receives water from the water truck. “We really suffer a lot to get water here,” she said in the report.

Those who miss the free distribution of water, which is provided by the mayor’s office, must buy it from trucks for about $4 a barrel.

To access the report and accompanying images, click here.

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