Water Purification System Installed in Colombia’s La Guajira Desert Region

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has installed a drinking water purification system for the Barrancón Indigenous People living in La Guajira, a dry desert region of Colombia.

The project, which provides access to clean water for 60 families in the Barrancón region, was inaugurated with the participation of Beste Pehlivan Sun, Turkish Ambassador to Colombia; Eleonora Betancur González, Director General of the Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia (APC-Colombia); Vicente Berardinelli Carrillo, Mayor of Barrancas; Carlos Arturo Robles Julio, Rector of La Guajira University; TİKA officials and local residents.

Speaking at the ceremony, APC-Colombia Director General Betancur stated that TİKA has consistently carried out projects that directly benefit vulnerable groups in Colombia. She said, “With this project, TİKA has once again demonstrated its commitment to addressing our country’s priorities and the needs of indigenous communities. Such cooperation brings our countries closer together and strengthens our ties.”

Mayor Berardinelli of Barrancas and Rector Robles of the University of La Guajira highlighted the severe infrastructure deficiencies in the region regarding access to water and expressed their gratitude to Türkiye.

500 liters of water per hour to be purified

The ceremony began with performances by local children, followed by speeches and a tour of the water purification facility and the Wotkasainru Ethno-Education Center. The system, which has a water purification capacity of 500 liters per hour, aims to prevent epidemics by providing clean water to the entire population in the region and especially to the Wotkasainru Ethno-Education Center, which serves 53 students.

About La Guajira

Due to the desert climate and lack of resources in La Guajira, which borders Venezuela, the region faces significant challenges in accessing clean water. Local communities often travel long distances to reach water sources, which leads to epidemics and food insecurity.

This project in La Guajira serves as a model for international initiatives in the region. Access to clean water, a key focus of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, is essential for improving the living standards of communities in desert conditions.