With the island of Gardi Sugdub becoming increasingly uninhabitable, the Guna community in Panama faces separation and cultural loss as they relocate to Isberyala. Despite improved living conditions, many residents mourn the life left behind.
Climate Change Displaces Guna Community from Historic Island
Climate Change Displaces Guna Community from Historic Island
The indigenous Guna community relocates from Gardi Sugdub, marking a significant response to the threats posed by rising sea levels due to climate change.
In a moment underscored by enduring resilience, Delfino Davies brushes the floor of a small museum dedicated to his community's history on Gardi Sugdub, a tiny island slowly succumbing to rising sea levels. "If the island sinks, I will sink with it," he asserts, casting a long glance at the now-silent surroundings where laughter and music once thrived.
The Guna community, the first in Panama to face relocation due to climate change, abandoned the low-lying island as governmental warnings noted its imminent risk of becoming uninhabitable by 2050. As of June last year, roughly 1,000 residents transitioned to Isberyala, a new settlement composed of prefabricated homes on the mainland, leaving only about 100 behind—a move praised for its pioneering nature but met with internal conflict.
Delfino shares sentiments of loss as family and friends departed. "You miss the children, the interactions," he reflects. While some residents cite overcrowding as a concern, others like Magdalena Martínez voice fears for their homes, echoing sentiments of rising tides that resulted in flooded living conditions. "We couldn't cook on our stoves," she recalls, prompting a collective decision that led many, including her, to seek a safer environment.
The shift has brought a mix of optimism and nostalgia. Isberyala, a development funded by the Panamanian government and the Inter-American Development Bank, features new amenities such as a constant power supply and improvement in educational infrastructure. For Magdalena, whose home has become more spacious, opportunities for cultivating food arise—a prospect never available on the cramped island.
However, the psychological toll weighs heavily as many grapple with the cultural implications intertwined with their new living arrangements. Tito López, the community's leader, reassures that their identity endures through traditions, while musical practises in the new school aim to preserve cultural knowledge among the youth.
Despite advancements, challenges abound. Residents voice frustrations about inconsistent water supply and the unfulfilled promise of healthcare in Isberyala, as a proposed hospital remains unconstructed. Life in the new settlement is better in some regards, echoing sentiments of former community member Yanisela Vallarino, who faces transportation woes when her child requires medical attention.
The moves of the Guna community under the shadow of climate change have garnered attention from experts and activists, emphasizing that lessons from their situation can inspire other communities worldwide facing similar crises. Erica Bower from Human Rights Watch calls for recognition of this as a transformative response to displacement.
As children adapt to sports fields and the comforts of new homes, the nostalgia for Gardi Sugdub lingers. Magdalena reflects on the bonds of community and the tangible reminders of their past life. “It’s hard to let go,” she admits, wishing for cohesion among all her loved ones. The Guna's ongoing journey encapsulates the broader struggle against climate-induced displacement as they navigate preservation of heritage amidst evolving landscapes.
The Guna community, the first in Panama to face relocation due to climate change, abandoned the low-lying island as governmental warnings noted its imminent risk of becoming uninhabitable by 2050. As of June last year, roughly 1,000 residents transitioned to Isberyala, a new settlement composed of prefabricated homes on the mainland, leaving only about 100 behind—a move praised for its pioneering nature but met with internal conflict.
Delfino shares sentiments of loss as family and friends departed. "You miss the children, the interactions," he reflects. While some residents cite overcrowding as a concern, others like Magdalena Martínez voice fears for their homes, echoing sentiments of rising tides that resulted in flooded living conditions. "We couldn't cook on our stoves," she recalls, prompting a collective decision that led many, including her, to seek a safer environment.
The shift has brought a mix of optimism and nostalgia. Isberyala, a development funded by the Panamanian government and the Inter-American Development Bank, features new amenities such as a constant power supply and improvement in educational infrastructure. For Magdalena, whose home has become more spacious, opportunities for cultivating food arise—a prospect never available on the cramped island.
However, the psychological toll weighs heavily as many grapple with the cultural implications intertwined with their new living arrangements. Tito López, the community's leader, reassures that their identity endures through traditions, while musical practises in the new school aim to preserve cultural knowledge among the youth.
Despite advancements, challenges abound. Residents voice frustrations about inconsistent water supply and the unfulfilled promise of healthcare in Isberyala, as a proposed hospital remains unconstructed. Life in the new settlement is better in some regards, echoing sentiments of former community member Yanisela Vallarino, who faces transportation woes when her child requires medical attention.
The moves of the Guna community under the shadow of climate change have garnered attention from experts and activists, emphasizing that lessons from their situation can inspire other communities worldwide facing similar crises. Erica Bower from Human Rights Watch calls for recognition of this as a transformative response to displacement.
As children adapt to sports fields and the comforts of new homes, the nostalgia for Gardi Sugdub lingers. Magdalena reflects on the bonds of community and the tangible reminders of their past life. “It’s hard to let go,” she admits, wishing for cohesion among all her loved ones. The Guna's ongoing journey encapsulates the broader struggle against climate-induced displacement as they navigate preservation of heritage amidst evolving landscapes.
