In the province of Salta, Argentina, the indigenous communities of Santa Victoria Este face a severe water crisis intensified by climate change. In an arid region of 400,000 hectares, access to clean water is alarmingly deficient, especially during droughts, affecting vegetation and the availability of water for human consumption.
Groundwater, with high levels of salt in some areas, becomes unsafe for consumption and for livestock. The scattered and nomadic nature of settlements has hindered the development of conventional water management infrastructures. Tatiana Pereira, president of the Indigenous Cooperative Chowhay, emphasizes the severity of the situation by stating, “During droughts, water becomes very scarce.”
Facing this issue, communities resort to collecting water from lagoons and using municipal tanker trucks, although these solutions are unreliable. Natural sources are often not suitable for consumption, and trucks often fail to reach the most remote areas, especially during extreme heat waves where temperatures can exceed 50°C.
After a ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, consultations have begun between local authorities and indigenous communities. Ramón Pérez, representative of the Lhaka Honhat association, pointed out, “For about 40 years, we have been demanding that the national government recognize our rights and our territory… [access to water] has been a very worrying issue for many years.”
In a collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works of Argentina and local organizations, UNOPS has launched a project that constructs 75 rainwater collection and storage systems, benefiting more than 350 people in 12 communities. Each cistern can store up to 16,000 liters, enough to cover a family’s basic needs for six months, thus strengthening their resilience to drought.
This project not only ensures access to water resources but also actively involves the communities. Cristina Pérez, president of Lhaka Honhat, highlights that communities have been allowed to decide the location of the cisterns, fostering a sense of ownership. Trainings have been adapted to local traditions with language interpreters such as wichí and toba.
In addition, a gender, diversity, and inclusion approach has been incorporated. Celina Moreno Cordeu, a social worker from UNOPS, explains that strategies have been implemented to ensure broad participation, even in communities where Spanish is not the mother tongue.
The economic impact is also significant. Alfonso Pérez, from the Indigenous Cooperative Chowhay, values the knowledge gained, using the remaining land from the constructions for his housing. Pereira adds that local employment is crucial, especially for young people who must move in search of work.
With water from the cisterns, communities have started to cultivate orchards, envisioning a promising future. Rebeca Roldán, chief of Pozo El Algarrobo, plans to use the resource to irrigate crops such as tomatoes and bell peppers, improving health, well-being, and fostering a more sustainable and resilient environment against climatic adversities.
The rainwater collection project represents not only a solution to the current crisis but also a step towards sustainable development and a better quality of life for these communities, who have struggled for decades for the recognition of their rights and resources.
via: MiMub in Spanish
