Catastrophic drought – the Amazon Basin suffers, along with Colombia’s indigenous communities

The Amazon River, one of the largest and most diverse ecosystems in the world, is currently facing the most severe drought in decades. The crisis is affecting not only nature but, above all, the indigenous communities living along the Amazon, for whom the river is a cornerstone of life – a source of water, food, and the foundation of their culture and identity.

Catastrophic effects of the drought

The ongoing drought in the Amazon Basin has led to a dramatic drop in water levels in many sections of the river. Colombia’s National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) has reported that the water level of the Amazon has decreased by 80-90%. For the indigenous population, whose lives have been deeply intertwined with the river for centuries, this is a disaster of unprecedented scale.

The Amazon provides drinking water, is a source of food, and serves as the main transportation route. Now, the river is no longer fulfilling these roles – its low level is paralyzing the daily lives of Colombians. Fishing, which was the backbone of the local economy, has almost entirely disappeared as smaller tributaries of the river have dried up. Boats, the only means of transport between remote settlements, are stuck on sandbanks, restricting access to basic resources such as food, drinking water, and medicine.

Humanitarian crisis

Colombian authorities and international humanitarian organizations are working to mitigate the effects of the drought. Supplies of drinking water, food, and medicine are being delivered to the most affected regions, but the logistics of distributing these resources present a significant challenge. Many communities are cut off from main transportation routes, and difficult terrain hampers delivery. In some villages, residents must travel across dry areas for many hours to access essential supplies. Meanwhile, students must walk long distances to reach school since boats are no longer running due to the low water levels.

Limited access to clean water is exacerbating health problems in the region, where an increase in waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea and skin infections, has been recorded, particularly affecting children.

In response to the crisis, UNGRD has begun distributing motor pumps and hoses to provide water access for isolated communities. Plans are also in place for deliveries of portable water treatment devices and the search for alternative sources, including the possibility of tapping groundwater.

The fight to preserve culture and heritage

For indigenous communities, the Amazon is much more than just a survival resource – it is a central element of their culture, spirituality, and history. The current drought threatens not only their health and lives but also the foundations of their identity. The drying up of the Amazon could mean irreversible losses for both the environment and their centuries-old cultural heritage, carefully passed down from generation to generation.

Local leaders are urging the Colombian government and the international community to take urgent action to protect the Amazon and combat climate change. Miguel Tapir, one of the leaders of the Amazonian communities, emphasizes: “We must protect the Amazon because without it our people will perish, and with them, our history. This is not just our problem – it’s the world’s problem.”

Worsening ecological crisis

Experts unanimously highlight that ongoing climate change is one of the main causes of extreme weather events, such as droughts. According to scientists, weather anomalies will intensify in the coming years. Low surface water levels and soil degradation are leading to irreversible changes in the natural environment.

Observations show that the effects of drought go far beyond the lack of water. The reduction of tropical rainforests, which play a key role as carbon sinks, may lead to an increase in its concentration in the atmosphere, accelerating global warming processes. Shrinking water resources and deteriorating living conditions may force people, especially young people, to migrate in search of more stable conditions in the northern hemisphere. This phenomenon, referred to as climate migration, is becoming one of the serious challenges both ecologically and socio-economically.