Adaptation to Climate Change in Afro-descendant and Awá Populations of the Colombian-Ecuadorian Border: An Approach from Food Security

Abstract

The effects of climate change impose significant challenges on everyone, affecting social, environmental, and economic aspects. In particular, rural areas, which have higher rates of poverty, lower education levels, limited access to employment, and inadequate healthcare, are disproportionately affected, leading to a lower quality of life for these populations. Communities living along the Ecuador-Colombia border are among those who have contributed the least to climate change; instead, they are making significant contributions to combating it. However, they also suffer the most from its consequences due to environmental impacts. This research is the result of the project "Building Adaptation Capacity Through Food Security and Nutrition Actions in Vulnerable Afro-Ecuadorian and Indigenous Communities in the Ecuadorian-Colombian Border Region," funded by the World Food Program and executed by the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador Esmeraldas Campus in collaboration with community participation through its base organizations: the Afro-Ecuadorian region of Northern Esmeraldas (CANE) and the Federation of Awá Centers of Ecuador (FCAE).