MAICAO, Colombia (AP) — Nelly Mengual, a 47-year-old resident of an informal settlement near Riohacha, recalls the devastating impact of severe flooding and winds that destroyed her makeshift home made of scrap metal, wood, and plastic tarp a few months ago. Living on the outskirts of Riohacha, in the wind-swept La Guajira region of northern Colombia, Mengual is among thousands of Wayuu people, indigenous to the La Guajira region spanning Colombia and Venezuela.
While many residents in these settlements were born in Colombia, those Wayuu who have fled Venezuela face significant hardships. Escaping economic crisis, these displaced individuals now reside in settlements without basic amenities like running water and electricity. The Wayuu, whose traditional territories span both Colombia and Venezuela, see the border as a political boundary rather than a cultural divide, with their connections and networks transcending national lines.
Mengual, who sustains herself by recycling scrap material in Maicao, lamented, “This entire hut, our belongings, what little we had – everything was lost.” The Wayuu, Colombia’s largest indigenous group, confront the dual challenges of climate change-induced droughts and floods. Scientists warn that more frequent severe droughts and heavy rainfall, exacerbated by global warming, are becoming increasingly common. These environmental disruptions not only damage homes and property but also deplete water sources, ruin crops, and heighten health risks from waterborne illnesses.
Ingrid Gonzalez, a Wayuu community leader living in the Villa del Sol settlement near Riohacha, highlighted the vulnerability of traditional Wayuu homes made of sticks and mud during the rainy season. “Many houses flood and fill up with water,” she shared. “A strong river of water passes through here, causing mud houses to collapse.”
Samuel Lanao, head of Corpoguajira, La Guajira’s environmental authority, noted that extreme winter floods in 2024 resulted in significant losses for indigenous communities, particularly those arriving from Venezuela. Lanao emphasized the impact of climate change on the rise of vector-borne diseases like dengue and Zika, hitting indigenous communities hard. To address these challenges, Corpoguajira has developed a Climate Change Plan to reduce emissions and enhance community and ecosystem resilience.
Camilo Martinez, the La Guajira base manager for the Danish Refugee Council, highlighted the undeniable shift in weather patterns in the region. With over 14 years of experience, he has observed firsthand the disappearance of fog and colder temperatures, indicating significant changes due to climate change. Martinez shared these insights at the Uyatpana Indigenous community near Maicao, underlining the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change on vulnerable Wayuu communities.
The climate in La Guajira has not only changed the timing of the rainy season but also the intensity of the rainfall when it does come. Scientific evidence of climate change in the region, supported by data from Colombia’s Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology, and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) and various studies, includes rising temperatures, prolonged droughts such as the 2012-2016 crisis, irregular rainfall patterns, and increased desertification. The heat and drought conditions are particularly challenging for informal settlements, with last year being the hottest on record for many residents. High temperatures have led to health issues among the population, affecting both people and animals. The Wayuu community, a significant portion of which follows traditional semi-nomadic lifestyles, faces difficulties due to lack of access to clean water and sanitation services. The increasing unpredictability of rainfall has made collecting rainwater less reliable, forcing residents to buy untreated water from distant sources. Non-governmental organizations have stepped in to provide support in areas where government assistance is inadequate. Wayuu leader Anibal Mercado highlighted the impact of climate change on the migrant Wayuu population, who are increasingly affected by the changing environment. The story of Laura Pushaina, a Wayuu woman weaving a traditional hammock in an informal settlement, reflects the resilience and challenges faced by many in the community. Despite facing hardships such as floods and unstable living conditions, many Wayuu people continue to work towards rebuilding their lives in the face of climate change.
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