Colombia is intensifying its aid efforts in the La Guajira Department amid the water crisis that has been affecting the region for months. Through the Colombian Institute of Family Welfare (ICBF), the entity responsible for providing assistance to families and children, Colombia has invested nearly US$180 million (700 billion COP) so far this year to support the local population.

La Guajira is one of the poorest and least developed regions in Colombia. It is one of the regions most affected by malnutrition and child malnutrition, which caused the deaths of at least 55 children last year, primarily from the local indigenous communities. The Wayuu people of La Guajira are among the most vulnerable to food insecurity and water scarcity in Colombia.

Increasing aid to La Guajira

Colombian authorities are now caring for 140,757 children, teenagers, and pregnant women in the Department to ensure their food security. The investment primarily targets the native indigenous people, the Wayuu, who live in extreme poverty.

Around US$147 million, over 80 percent of the total ICBF investment, has been dedicated to Wayuu communities across four municipalities in the La Guajira Department. Over 68,000 families, including more than 100,000 children, have thus benefited from increased assistance in terms of food and access to water.

Battling water crisis

As Colombia is still battling with the effects of El Niño, La Guajira remains one of the most vulnerable and affected regions by the droughts and consequent lack of water. This situation, however, has been aggravated rather than caused by EL Niño, as La Guajira is a desert region with frequent water access issues. It is estimated that 80 percent of the department’s population lacks access to clean drinking water.

La Guajira department is an official priority for the Petro administration. Since 2023, ICBF investments in the region have nearly doubled, now covering 50,000 more individuals. One of the direct results of this policy is the reduction in the number of infant deaths since the beginning of the year.

Despite these efforts, the region remains underdeveloped. Investments are plentiful, particularly through major mining projects in the area, including Cerrejon mine, one of the biggest coal mines in the world. However, the inhabitants benefit very little from the royalties of these projects, which are mostly captured and diverted for other purposes.