In September, Malteser International Americas partnered with the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) to distribute 1,300 hygiene kits for COVID-19 prevention to 14 Wayuu communities from the Riohacha region in La Guajira, benefiting 1,300 families.

These activities were led by Community Health Workers trained by Malteser International Americas in their respective communities. With the support of WASH specialists (water, sanitation and hygiene) the Community Healthcare Workers have given workshops and training to over 5,000 community members in COVID-19 preparedness and prevention. The community health messaging was been adapted to Wayuu culture and cosmology, and the Community Healthcare Workers are also collecting data to monitor the implementation of these prevention practices in the communities.

The hygiene kits include hand-washing soaps, bathing soaps, laundry detergent, chlorine bottles, gloves, a hand-washing station and a water storage container.

The 14 communities that received the hygiene kits were Sumaain Wayuu, El Ahumao 1 & 2, Puerto Nuevo, Siparumana, El Estero 1 & 2, Caimito, Principio, Porvenir, El Puy, Tocoromana, El Pasito and Los Olivos; all located in rural areas outside of Riohacha, La Guajira’s capital.

This activity is part of the project “COVID-19 wash and health prevention and preparedness with focus on indigenous Wayuu in La Guajira” and was featured in Colombian newspapers El Heraldo and La Guajira Hoy.  See the full album of photos on our Facebook page.

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