“From the Opogadó Indigenous Reserve in Bojayá, Chocó, Elvia Mecha Pipicay reports that in November 2025, heavy rains submerged, among others, two Indigenous communities—the Emberá Dovida de Opogadó and Duguadó—for more than 15 days. As a result, homes, personal belongings, and subsistence crops were lost. Animals, especially chickens, which form an important part of the communities’ diet, also perished. This led to a food crisis that lasted until mid-2025. Although families have rebuilt their homes, the fields need more time to recover, and the association of Indigenous women led by Elvia has not yet been able to restore the crops lost to the floods. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities living in these areas in the Chocó rainforest of Colombia are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.”
-Elvia Mecha Pipicay, Coordinator of the Group of Indigenous Women Farmers
(2025)
A COUNTRY MARKED BY THR CLIMATE CRISIS
Colombia repeatedly experiences severe floods, especially during the rainy seasons. Its geographical location between the Pacific and the Caribbean, the high altitude of the Andes, and extensive river systems make the country particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall and flooding.¹
THE BIOGEOGRAPHICAL CHOCÓ…
… located east of the Western Cordillera toward the Pacific, is one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots on Earth. In addition, it is an area that provides a safe passage for migratory species. Every year, birds as well as large terrestrial and marine mammals traverse this ecosystem corridor.²
WHEN THE WATER RAISES
In November 2024, the Colombian region of Chocó was hit by devastating floods. The heavy rainy season caused rivers such as the Atrato to overflow. In 22 of the 31 municipalities, villages were submerged, roads became impassable, and houses were destroyed. More than 100,000 people—about one-fifth of the region’s population—were affected by the disaster.³
More about the partenership in Chocò
