impact of desertification on the livelihood and health of the wayuu...
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Impact of Desertification on the Livelihood and Health of the Wayuu People of the
La Guajira Department, ColombiaDouglas Fernandes DaSilva
PhD Candidate
Education: University of Wisconsin – Madison
BSc – Biochemistry
University of ZurichMSc – Environmental SciencesPhD Candidate – Human Ecology
Professional: Clinical Research (12 years)
Pediatric Allergy and Nutrition (Madison, USA)
Public Health R&D (3 years)Health Systems Development(Mbale, Uganda)
Public Health Education (1 year)Pediatric and Adolescent Health(Kathmandu, Nepal)
Table of Contents
1. Introduction2. Research Question and Hypothesis3. Methods4. Preliminary Findings5. Future Goals
Introduction
The Wayuu People
“Love their land and consider it as their mother. They are born and fed from it, and when they die, the land opens its
arms to receive them once again.
They respect their land, demand respect for it and will fight to defend it.”
Cecilia Bula (2000) – The Wayuu and their Surroundings
La Guajira Department, Colombia
Northern La Guajira2015
2018Northern La Guajira2015
Desertification
Is a multidimensional phenomenon with ecological, meteorological, and
human variables.
Reynolds 2001
It is defined as the reduction in the productivity of the land, where it may no longer support the same plant growth it had in the past.
Reynolds JF (2001). Desertification. In: Levin, Simon Asher, Encyclopedia of Biodiversity, London: Academic Press, pp. 61-78.
Sectors Affected by Desertification
Environment• Low Water Supply • Soil Degradation• Biodiversity Loss
Economy• Economic Isolation• Poverty
Society• Changes in Lifestyle• Public Safety• Public Health Issues
Desertification and Public Health
In Colombia, there is an increased incidence of malnutrition and childhood mortality in
regions experiencing desertification. Jaramillo-Mejía et al. 2018 2
InterAmerican Commission for Human Rights 2015 1
The poor access to water and the current state of malnutrition of the population may
have influenced the reported deaths of 4’770 Wayúu children in the past 8 years.
1 IACHR - InterAmerican Commission for Human Rights (2015). Precautionary Measure 51/15 [Online]. Available at http://www.oas.org/es/cidh/decisiones/pdf/2015/MC51-15-Es.pdf
2 Jaramillo-Mejía MC, Chernichovsky D (2018). Impact of desertification and land degradation on Colombian children. Int J Public Health. 2018 Jul 17. doi: 10.1007/s00038-018-1144-0
Desertification Gradients of La Guajira
Research Question
- Socio-Demographics- Livelihood Strategies- Access to Food, Water and Health Care- Natural Resources- Social Networks
Do different gradients of desertification affect the Wayuu?
HypothesisWayuu people living in areas with the
highest levels of desertification present the poorest livelihood and health conditions in comparison to people living in areas with
lesser levels of desertification
Methods
§ EnvironmentExisting data from Colombian and international departments of statistics, meteorology and environmental studies.
§ Surveys and Field MeasurementsTo assess the livelihood and health of the Wayuu people.
1. Gather data:
2. Examine data to assess livelihood and health disparities in regions presenting different levels of desertification.
Preliminary Findings
Uribia8’200 km2
Manaure1’900 km2
Riohacha3’100 km2
Maicao1’800 km2
Climatic Influences on the Environment
-3-2.5-2
-1.5-1
-0.50
0.51
1.52
2.53
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
El Niño and La Niña - Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) 1982 - 2020
El Niño La Niña NOAA 2020
-10
-7.5
-5
-2.5
0
2.5
5
7.5
10
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Standard Precipitation Index (6-Month) 1982 - 2020
Riohacha Manaure Maicao Uribia
SPI Z
-Sco
res
3-M
onth
Mea
n O
NI S
core
s
IDEAM 2020
Jan 2011
La Niña:ModerateONI = -1.4
Feb 2011
La Niña:ModerateONI = -1.1
Mar 2011
La Niña:Weak
ONI = -0.8
Apr 2011
La Niña:Weak
ONI = -0.6
May 2011
La Niña:Weak
ONI = -0.5
Jun 2011
La Niña:Very WeakONI = -0.4
Jul 2011
La Niña:Weak
ONI = -0.5
Aug 2011
La Niña:Weak
ONI = -0.7
Sep 2011
La Niña:Weak
ONI = -0.9
Oct 2011
La Niña:ModerateONI = -1.1
Nov 2011
La Niña:ModerateONI = -1.1
Dec 2011
La Niña:ModerateONI = -1.0
Jan 2015
El Niño:Weak
ONI = 0.6
Feb 2015
El Niño:Weak
ONI = 0.6
Mar 2015
El Niño:Weak
ONI = 0.6
Apr 2015
El Niño:Weak
ONI = 0.8
May 2015
El Niño:ModerateONI = 1.0
Jun 2015
El Niño:ModerateONI = 1.2
Jul 2015
El Niño:Strong
ONI = 1.5
Aug 2015
El Niño:Strong
ONI = 1.8
Sep 2015
El Niño:Very Strong
ONI = 2.1
Oct 2015
El Niño:Very Strong
ONI = 2.4
Nov 2015
El Niño:Very Strong
ONI = 2.5
Dec 2015
El Niño:Very Strong
ONI = 2.6
Less VegetationM
ore Vegetation
Post-Rain SeasonDry Season
Rain SeasonPost-Rain Season
Dry SeasonRain Season
NASA 2020
Weather patterns in La Guajira are affected by the El Niño Southern
Oscillation events
Stronger El Niño events trigger intense and prolonged droughts
Take Home Message:
IDEAM 2015
Desertification Gradients
Low Medium HighNo
DesertificationTotal
Desertification
Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI)Adapted from DFID 1999 and Hahn 2009
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICS (SD)- Level of education- Household income- Number of dependents- Number of single parents
HEALTH (HE)- Average time to health center- Quality of health center- Number of acquired diseases- Presence of chronic illnesses- Household rates of malnutrition
LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES (LS)- Income generation activities- Wages vs. expenditures- Livelihood diversification index
FOOD (FO)- Dependency on family farm- Number of months struggling to find food- Dietary diversity index
SOCIAL NETWORKS (SN)- Give/Receive ratio- Borrow/Lend money ratio- Presence of outside assistance- Conflicts
WATER (WA)- Average time to water sources- Water quantity and quality- Water treatment strategies
NATURAL RESOURCES (NR)- Average drought months- Average maximum temperature- Average monthly precipitation- Farm losses due to drought/disease
!!
!
LVI Desertification Gradient =wSDSDd+wLSLSd+wHEHEd+wFOFOd+wWAWAd+wNRNRd+wSNSNd
wSD+wLS+wHE+wFO+wWA+wNR+wSN
!"#$
!
𝑤𝑀𝑖𝑀𝑑𝑖
!"#$
!
𝑤𝑀𝑖
=
WM 𝑖 = weight of sub-components
Md 𝑖 = index of major components
Where:
Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI)
The Wayuu have a strong social structure but observe a lack of natural resources, water and basic goods and services to thrive.
Such disparities are exacerbated in high desertification areas.
Take Home Message:
00.20.40.60.8
1
Socio-Demographics
LivelihoodStrategies
Health
FoodWater
NaturalResources
Social Networks
LVI Low Desertification
00.20.40.60.8
1
Socio-Demographics
LivelihoodStrategies
Health
FoodWater
NaturalResources
Social Networks
LVI Medium Desertification
00.20.40.60.8
1
Socio-Demographics
LivelihoodStrategies
Health
FoodWater
NaturalResources
Social Networks
LVI High Desertification
p = 0.008
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
High
Medium
Low
Severe Malnutrition Signs
Desertification and
Malnutrition
Observed Severe Malnutrition Signs:
Nutritional Edema (fluid retention)Kwashiorkor
(protein deficiency)
Vitamin Deficiency
52%
48%
All Children(n=197)
No Malnutrition
Malnutrition
*
* p = 0.0002
Percent of Children
Dese
rtifi
catio
n Le
vel
n=59
n=90
n=48
No Malnutrition
Malnutrition
Body Mass Index(BMI)
Used as risk factor for the development or prevalence
of overweight or underweight health issues
p > 0.05
p > 0.05
Body Mass Ratio Analysis:
14% Severe Malnutrition
Dietary Diversity
Food guide based on nutrient requirements from
Ministry of Health of Colombia
Source: FAO 2018
Dietary Diversity Score
Fruits and Vegetables
Carbohydrates and Grains
Dairy Products
Meat Poultry Fish EggsLegumes
Fats and Processed Oils
Processed Sugars
Vegetables = 100 gFruits = 150 g
Carbohydrates = 120 gGrains = 100 g
Dairy = 100 g
Meats/Egg = 150 g Legumes = 100 g
Fats = 50 g
Sugars = 50 g
Colombian Average Recommended Daily Intake
for Children (grams)
1 Fruit Serving 1 Vegetable Serving
1 Carb Serving1 Grain Serving
1 Dairy Serving
1 Meat Serving1 Legume Serving
1 Fat Serving
1 Sugar Serving
Daily Dietary DiversityConsumption Estimates
(serving = eat at least once)
Individual Food Groups(FAO Standards)
Dietary Diversity for Individual Food Groups
The Wayuu People’s Diet
Food Groups
Fruits Vegetables
(n=197)
GrainsCarbs
(n=197)
DairyProducts(n=197)
Meat Legumes(n=197)
Fats(n=197)
Sugars(n=197)
Dietary Diversityand
Desertification
Desertification Level
overall: p < 0.00001
Children living in high desertification areas have significantly lower dietary
diversity scores
High(n=59)
Medium(n=90)
Low(n=48)
Dietary Diversityand
Malnutrition
Children with malnutrition have significantly lower dietary diversity scores
Malnutrition p < 0.00001
No(n=103)
Yes(n=94)
Dietary Diversity Score analysis can be used as a complementary measurement to BMI in
order to identify the prevalence of malnutrition in Wayuu children populations.
Take Home Message:
Agricultural Resources
- Low in Phosphorous and Nitrogen
- Low in essential soil minerals and micronutrients (Sulfate, Magnesium, Manganese, Boron)
- Lack of water for agricultural practices
(Fully dependent on rain)
Soil Analysis:
Water Resources
Closed Well Open Well Surface Water
- Depth: 80 meters
- Appropriate for human consumption
- Only 1 well in the region (6-7hr walk)
- Depth: 12 meters
- Not appropriate for human consumption
- High amounts of salts and minerals
(5x above limits for drinking water)
- Rain water collection
- Not appropriate for human consumption
- Extremely high microorganism count
(930 cfu/ml – should be ZERO)
Salty water = Diarrhea Microorganisms = Diarrhea
Take home message: Malnutrition + Diarrhea = Childhood Mortality
Wayuu people living in areas with the highest levels of desertification present lowest livelihood and health conditions
⎼ Water shortages and inappropriate water sources
⎼ Food insecurities due to low soil productivity
⎼ Health deterioration due to malnutrition
Summary of Analysis
Populations living in high desertification areas need access to education and basic infrastructure
to improve their quality of life
Needs Assessment
Future Goals
To determine what types of innovations and policies can be implemented in a sustainable way to bring positive impacts to
the livelihood and health of the Wayuu people.
To provide knowledge and relief from desertification and influence future development actions so the Wayuu people can
continue to thrive within their own cultural fashion.
Drylands Rehabilitation
QUESTION: Is there a threshold for land rehabilitation?
• Develop agricultural patches in areas presenting different levels of desertification• Longitudinal study of the enablers and disablers for land rehabilitation
Sample diagram for water and irrigation solutions.
METHODS:
3-Year Budget:CHF 95’000
Public Health Evaluation
QUESTION: What are the drivers of childhood disease and mortality among the Wayuu?
Health Facilities in La Guajira
Number of Health Facilities:
Uribia: 2 Hospitals 6 Clinics – Population: 198’000 (90% Wayúu)
Manaure: 1 Hospital 5 Clinics – Population: 120’000 (70% Wayúu)
Source: Gobierno Digital Colombia – Datos Abiertos (2018)
Uribia
Manaure
Riohacha
Maicao
* 56% of the Wayúu population of Colombia live in Uribia and Manaure (~260’000 people)
Riohacha: 164 Health Centers – Population: 150’000 (20% Wayúu)
Maicao: 46 Health Centers – Population: 166’000 (25% Wayúu)
• Identify the main diseases and environmental vectors for spreading illnesses• In-depth independent evaluation of the current healthcare capacity of the regionMETHODS:
Policy EvaluationQUESTION: What are government agencies doing to address food insecurity,
malnutrition, childhood health among Wayuu populations?
• Evaluate current policies and identify challenges to implementations• Influence policies and actions based on our research results• Encourage partnerships for collaboration and sustainability
METHODS:
Sanitation Efforts
@ lafm
@ laguajirahoy
The COVID-19 EffortsRevolts Mass Theft Road-Blocks
@ diariodelnorte@ diariolaguajira
@ mama.tierra
Supervisors– Prof. Dr. Hanna Kokko– Prof. Dr. Jordi Bascompte– Prof. Dr. Marcus Hall– Prof. Dr. Marta Jaramillo-Mejía
Project Collaborators– Dr. Isabelle Schluep– Dr. Lourdes Grollimund– Katherine Klemenz
With the support from:– Dr. Soraya Arregoces Escobar– Dr. Soraya Pérez Escobar– Yaniris Arregoces Mesa– Idairis Iguaran– Jose Domingo Montiel– The Polanco and Suarez Families– Constanze Falenczyk