Indigenous immigrants fighting in northern Northern Colombia exacerbate drought and flooding

Maicao, Colombia (AP) –

Nelly Mengual, 47, stood in her temporary home of temporary scrap metal, wood and plastic tarpaulin, telling the story of severe flooding and wind tearing several months ago that left her knee deep in the water at home.

She lives in informal settlements in the suburbs of Riohacha, arid wind-swept area of ​​northern Colombia, where thousands of other Wayuu people (spanning Colombia and Venezuela) also live in La Guajira area.

Although many residents were born in Colombia, Venuu, who fled Venezuela, faced the greatest difficulties. After escaping what many say is an economic crisis, they now live in these settlements without access to tap water, and for many, there is no electricity. Wayuu’s traditional land spans Colombia and Venezuela, viewing the border as a political construct rather than a cultural divide, with its relationships and networks beyond national boundaries.

“The whole cabin. We have almost nothing to do with our property. Everything is lost,” Mengual said.

Wayuu is the largest indigenous group in Colombia, facing the dual threat of climate change-driven drought and flooding. Scientists warn that as the world warms, more severe, prolonged droughts are pierced by the flickering flickering of floods. In addition to damaging people’s homes, they also drain water sources, destroy crops, and increase the health risks of water-borne diseases. Many Wayuu families are forced to relocate in search of basic resources, putting more pressure on already overcrowded urban areas.

Strong floods challenge Weiwuwu’s lifestyle

Ingrid Gonzalez, a Wayuu community leader from Maracaibo, lives in the Villa del Sol settlement near Riohacha for six years, said more traditional Wayuu homes covered with sticks and dirt are very susceptible to the rainy season.

“There are a lot of houses flooding and full of water,” said Gonzalez, 29. “A strong river of water passes here and the dirt houses collapse.”

“Some people managed to protect their homes by strengthening them, but the losses were still huge,” she said. “A few of my own roof sheets were blown away.”

Samuel Lanao, head of Corpoguajira, the Corpoguajira Environmental Authority, said in 2024, extreme winter floods have caused huge losses to homes, crops and livestock in indigenous communities, especially those from neighboring Venezuela. “The rise of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika has risen due to climate change. Dengue, especially, has hit indigenous communities very, very, very hard,” he said.

Lana said Corpoguajira has developed a climate change plan to reduce emissions and increase resilience in communities and ecosystems.

The undeniable shift in weather patterns is Camilo Martinez, the base manager of the Danish Refugee Council, which has a strong business in the region. With 14 years of experience in the region, he has witnessed these changes firsthand.

“A few years ago, when I got here, there was fog, and for some hours in the morning, it was very cold. It has stopped today, and the snowy peaks of nearby mountains…you can’t see that much again.”

Martinez said the rainy season began to change for several months, but eventually the intensity of the rainfall changed.

The scientific evidence for climate change in La Guajira is supported by the Colombian Institute of Hydrology, Meteorological and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) and various studies including rising temperatures, prolonged droughts such as the crisis of 2012-2016, irregular rainfall patterns, and increased desertification.

Heat and drought test informal settlements

Last year’s Heat was the hottest Gonzalez, the community leader.

“In some houses, the heat is intense and can affect people, especially those with high blood pressure. They feel tired, flush and even uncomfortable,” she said. “The calories are so strong that they even affect the animals. The chicken neighbors lost some of them due to the extremely high calories because the animals are suffocating.”

A large portion of the Wayuu population maintains a traditional semi-nominated lifestyle, living in Rancherias – thatched roof huts made of dried cactus and dirt, as well as grazing cattle and goats.

In many informal settlements, residents do not have access to tap water or sanitation services. Water sellers transport untreated water in buckets, using mules to distribute it between houses. Although many rely on collecting rainwater, the unpredictability of rainfall is increasing, making the source of this water less reliable.

“They were forced to buy water from unclean sources, transported by mules or trolleys to long trips, bringing it to their families,” Martinez said. “The water cannot be drunk and can only be used for washing or cooking. But people have no choice but to drink it. This is one of the biggest consequences of drought, lacking rainfall in these seasons.”

Many NGOs say they step in to support these areas of La Guajira, where state aid is minimal or no. Colombia’s Environment Department did not respond to AP’s request for comment.

Wayuu leader Anibal Mercado told AP that the immigrant Wayuu has the largest population due to climate change.

“You find them picking up trash and finding their recycling, which is never seen before. It’s a product of government neglect. The state has been promoting neoliberal policies that violate traditional rights, and Venu uses it to provide its own food for its economy.”

Many people rebuilt again and again

Near Uyatpana, 28-year-old Laura Pushaina sat on a stool and woven Chinchorro, a traditional Wayuu Hammock for sleep. She said there were five one-year-olds and she said the complicated work would take her four days to complete.

Pushaina is one of thousands of Wayuu people who entered Colombia and established settlements. Many people stayed in homes near Venezuela due to the transfer of political and economic conditions in the region.

Like Pushaina, many told the Associated Press that they hope to return to the Venezuelan side of the border, but they believe that the political and economic situation is still too unstable. It was also said that relocation from informal settlements would be helpful because the land was not suitable for living without tap water or proper sewage infrastructure.

Just a few months ago, Pashrana’s home was destroyed by a flood.

“I’ve had the worst period. Water seeps into the dirt and sometimes it comes in here like a river, flowing through here.”

___

The Associated Press’s climate and environmental coverage has received financial support from several private foundations. AP is responsible for all content. Find criteria for working with charity, which is the list of supporters and coverage of funding for AP.org.