Colombia: Protecting Indigenous Communities from COVID-19

"We didn't know how to wash our hands, we didn't use soap and we didn't have water to do it. Thank you because you came to Sumaain, installed the water tank and gave us these kits."

Why MI Americas is here:

With historically limited access to basic healthcare and sanitation infrastructure, the Wayuu indigenous community requires special attention amidst the global pandemic. Partnering with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and with the support of local Wayuu leaders, MI Americas has been on the front lines to ensure that these communities – located in the Department of La Guajira in northern Colombia – receive adequate training and sensitization in Wayuunaiki language in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and health protocols, and are provided hand-washing stations, soap and new or repaired water tanks.

While many actors in the region focus their attention and services on urban areas, MI Americas is one of the few actors currently working to address the needs of rural communities like the Wayuu.

How We Help:

Local community health and hygiene promoters, with the support of MI Americas staff and in partnership with USAID, training and sensitizing indigenous communities to WASH protocols throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Training 60 community health and hygiene promoters to educate their communities on best prevention practices, monitor the epidemiological situation and alert health authorities to potential risks.
Installation or repair of water storage infrastructure in collaboration with the state government to ensure water for handwashing is available.
900 handwashing and safe water storage kits distributed to 1,300 families.
Improving water storage capacity infrastructure for 1,300 Wayuu families
Development of a COVID-19 public health campaign in Wayuunaiki language that respects and incorporates Wayuu cultural and religious practices.
Partnering with the University of Magdalena in Santa Marta, a local university, to produce hand sanitizers that will reach 14,000 people.
The deployment of two rapid-response teams, including a psychologist, which are working with the Riohacha health department and the region’s indigenous healthcare provider IPSI Anashiwaya.

“We didn’t know how to wash our hands, we didn’t use soap and we didn’t have water to do it. Thank you because you came to Sumaain, installed the water tank and gave us these kits. They have also taught us how to wash our hands correctly to avoid catching this disease. ” – Keila, a beneficiary and resident of Sumaain Wayuu.

Celebrating #GlobalHandwashing Day With Indigenous Communities in Colombia — An elder of the Wayuu indigenous community in La Guajira, Colombia washes his hands to demonstrate the trainings MI Americas has been leading in the region throughout the pandemic.

Quick facts about the Wayuu:

These communities live on 4,000 square miles stretch of arid land between Colombia and Venezuela
92% of La Guajira’s rural population lives in extreme poverty
Malnutrition, infant mortality, poor community hygiene due to limited of water, overcrowded living conditions are all vulnerabilities present in these communities

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Photo caption: Malteser International Americas and USAID partnered to distribute 1,300 hygiene kits to Wayuu households in La Guajira.

Photo caption: Our trainings for the Wayuu in La Guajira have been focused on sensitizing the community to proper water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) protocols.

Photo caption: Partnering with USAID, we have been able to keep the Wayuu indigenous community safe throughout the global pandemic.

Photo caption: MI Americas is oneBecause of our community-based approach, MI Americas has been able to deliver substantive results and help protect these communities that often lack societal integration.