Reductions in Food Security on Colombian Islands

San Andres and Providencia are two English speaking Colombian islands off Nicaragua's eastern coast. 

Reductions in Food Soveregnty
on Colombian Islands

The Raizal are an Afro-Caribbean ethnic group native to the Colombian islands of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina off the coast of Nicaragua. Presently, they are experiencing not only the direct negative impacts of climate change but also it’s exacerbation of socio-environmental challenges including a lack of food security, directly linked to an absence of sovereignty over land and water.
Aftermath of Hurricane Iota, 2021

Aftermath of Hurricane Iota

Since Hurricane Iota struck the islands of San Andres, Old Providence, and Santa Catalina islands off the Western Caribbean coast of Central America in November 2020, the Raizal people have faced continued difficulties regarding housing, medical access, and food and water shortages. Today, an estimated 84 families continue to live in tents or makeshift shelters. Many more families lack access to clean drinking water and proper food, and at least another 800 Raizal remain displaced. Healthcare is severely inadequate, still provided only by a temporary field hospital that was set up soon after the hurricane.
Colombia’s Lack of Consultation with the Raizal

Lack of Consultation with the Raizal

Additionally, Colombia’s lack of consultation with the Raizal on issues that affect them has meant that the Raizal are not able to participate in the rebuilding of their homes, services, infrastructure, and the recovery of their territories. There is an increased military presence on the islands since the hurricane. Colombia has centralized control over several government offices that were managed by the Raizal prior to the hurricane, or has ignored their authority, and is attempting to take over more lands, strengthen control over the Raizal people’s traditional seas, and build more military bases. Such actions not only impact the right to self-determination but also threaten important ecosystems and ancestral fishing practices on which the Raizal rely for their economy and survival.
Community Led Solutions

Sustainable Food Practices of the Raizal People

Better Water Management: Providing increased organic matter in the soil, planting trees that improve the microclimate and improve humidity.

The best time to water the filed is at night so plants can fixate water and be ready to resist high temperatures during the day.

Establishment of Local Seed Banks: This communal practice is being implemented or strengthened in different communities.

The seed bank works as a network that provides availability of seeds.

Caring for seeds requires management of humidity. To provide oxygen, using simple fabric (eg old socks) has proven effective. Seeds are hung with ashes and to protect from rodents.

For more on how seeds can be kept, contact Agricultural Enginering Student from Providencia, Edwar and  “Los costodios de semillas’ of continental Colombia

 

Organic Hen Raising & Production

Mixing Guava with Cows: Protect soil, produce milk and milk products, guava products like jam.

Agroecology: A school where the small scale farmer learns, teaches, and promotes short circuits of commercialization. Generates responsible consumption, fair exchange from producers and consumers and knowledge exchange.

Voices of the People

Ways to Help

Connect with the Raizal Community

Connect with the Movements of the Raizal Dignity Camp

Connect with the Raizal People of Colombia

The Raizal Dignity Camp is the scene of social and cultural mobilization of the Federation of Fishermen of Providencia and Santa Catalina

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Share your words of support for meaningful autonomy for the people of the Colombian Archipelago

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