On the arid plains of Colombia’s northeastern peninsula, the mostly indigenous communities are lucky if it rains twice a year. Some years, it doesn’t rain at all.

Brutal droughts, caused by El Niño, have taken a heavy on toll on Colombia’s largest indigenous group – the Wayuu people – 400,000 of which inhabit the Department of Guajira.

Rivers and tributaries have run dry, leaving scarce water for human consumption, agriculture and basic sanitation. Many communities have to travel several hours on foot to buy expensive water delivered by government-contracted tanker trucks.

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