Panama Relocates 1,200 Indigenous Guna People from Cartí Sugdupu Island Amid Rising Sea Levels

In a significant response to the growing threat of climate change, the Panamanian government has begun relocating 1,200 indigenous Guna people from Cartí Sugdupu island. The island, also known as Gardi Sugdub, is part of the Caribbean archipelago of Guna Yala and is being engulfed by rising sea levels.

Approximately 300 families are being moved from the island, located about a kilometer off Panama's northern coast, to new government-built housing on the mainland. The relocation effort, which started on June 3, involves volunteers and military personnel assisting in the evacuation.

Why this matters: Rising sea levels and climate change are having devastating effects on communities worldwide, displacing people and threatening their way of life. If left unchecked, this could lead to a massive refugee crisis, social unrest, and economic instability.

The Guna people have lived on Cartí Sugdupu for generations, with their lives closely tied to the sea through fishing, tourism, and agriculture. However, the rising sea levels and increasing frequency of storms have made the island uninhabitable. The island's inhabitants live in overcrowded conditions without guaranteed basic services, and their homes are regularly flooded.

The new neighborhood, Nuevo Cartí, on the mainland offers improved living conditions with cement homes and asphalted roads. Each house is 40.96 square meters in size and comes with amenities such as water, electricity, and sanitary services. Additionally, each home has a plot of 300 square meters for planting and farming.

Alberto López, a 72-year-old resident of Cartí Sugdupu, expressed his sadness at leaving the island he has called home all his life. "We feel sadness because if this island goes, part of our heart goes, part of our culture," López said. Similarly, Idelicia Ávila, a 42-year-old woman, shared her sorrow about leaving her family and home behind.

The Minister of Housing and Territorial Planning, Rogelio Paredes, stated that the government is committed to supporting the relocation process. This effort is seen as a necessary step to provide better living conditions for the indigenous people affected by climate change.

This relocation is part of a broader plan to eventually relocate 63 coastal communities in Panama threatened by rising sea levels. Scientists project that Panama will lose about 2.01% of its coastal territory by 2050, highlighting the urgency of climate action.

The situation in Panama mirrors similar challenges faced by coastal communities worldwide, including those in Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. As climate change continues to impact sea levels and weather patterns, more communities will likely face the difficult decision to relocate.

The relocation of the Guna people from Cartí Sugdupu highlights the immediate and tangible effects of climate change. It highlights the need for global efforts to address and mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Key Takeaways

• Panama relocates 1,200 indigenous Guna people from Cartí Sugdupu island due to rising sea levels.
• The island is being engulfed by the sea, making it uninhabitable for the 300 families living there.
• The relocation effort involves moving residents to new government-built housing on the mainland.
• This is part of a broader plan to relocate 63 coastal communities in Panama threatened by climate change.
• The situation highlights the urgent need for global climate action to address rising sea levels and extreme weather events.