Drought

Exploring the realities of resource misallocation along Peru's northern coast. This visual narrative delves into the human and environmental impact of overlooked infrastructure and systemic neglect. September–October 2024
Drought - A 1,100L water tank sits outside a residence in El Cerrito Huanchaco, a necessity for locals who...
Drought - A dust-filled reservoir in Tucume reflects the region's water scarcity, with...
Drought - A lone cactus stands in the sand near Cerro Campana, a testament to the region's extreme...
Drought - A dirt road near Huaraz cuts through highland villages, where a painted water symbol marks the...
Drought - Sprayed on a wall next to a basketball court in Huanchaco, the graffiti reading...
Drought - Plastic chairs and tables, now covered in dust, sit unused along the coast in Huanchaquito. Once...
Drought - A water truck drives along a dirt road in northern Peru, its side displaying images of locals...
Drought - A man rides his bike down a dirt road in Huanchaco, passing piles of rubbish alongside a distant...
Drought - A stray dog sits in front of a house beside a dust-covered mototaxi in Huanchaco. In northern...
Drought - The desert highway, lined with rubbish, underscores the environmental toll of insufficient waste...
Drought - Workers paint an advertising mural for Aguafiel, a bottled water company. Bottled drinking water...
Drought - A plot of land once used for farming sits barren, its watering pipes idle and dust-covered. In...
Drought
A 1,100L water tank sits outside a residence in El Cerrito Huanchaco, a necessity for locals who rely on purchased water due to limited municipal supply in this arid coastal region. Peru's uneven infrastructure leaves over 3 million people facing water insecurity nationwide. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A dust-filled reservoir in Tucume reflects the region's water scarcity, with infrastructure unable to meet local needs. Despite efforts to minimise evaporation, such as plastic covers, the lack of water persists. In rural Peru, including La Libertad, communities rely on truck deliveries, as limited rainfall and contamination exacerbate the crisis. Tucume, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A lone cactus stands in the sand near Cerro Campana, a testament to the region's extreme arid conditions. With just 14 days of rain per year, this area of northern Peru is a harsh environment where vegetation struggles to survive. The cactus, adapting to the lack of water and the intense sun, is a common sight in this desert landscape. Cerro Campana, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A dirt road near Huaraz cuts through highland villages, where a painted water symbol marks the struggle for water in this arid region. Glacial retreat from Huascarán and other peaks has led to unpredictable water sources, with melting glaciers forming new lakes that risk flooding local areas. The changing climate makes access to water more uncertain for these communities. Huaraz, Peru — October 2024
Drought
Sprayed on a wall next to a basketball court in Huanchaco, the graffiti reading 'sonrie' (smile) contrasts its hopeful message with the bold, tag-like style. The starkness of the graffiti reflects the tension between optimism and the harsh realities of life in communities facing water scarcity and economic hardship. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Drought
Plastic chairs and tables, now covered in dust, sit unused along the coast in Huanchaquito. Once a thriving spot for locals and tourists, this area has fallen into disrepair, with no sign of activity. Tourism in Huanchaco has been declining, with a 25% drop in visitor numbers between 2018 and 2022, compounded by infrastructure challenges like poor waste management and unreliable water access. These factors have contributed to the area's abandonment, leaving businesses struggling to stay afloat. Huanchaquito, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A water truck drives along a dirt road in northern Peru, its side displaying images of locals receiving drinking water. In rural areas, such trucks are often the primary source of water, as many communities lack reliable infrastructure. Approximately 40% of rural Peruvians still do not have consistent access to clean water. Waste management remains a significant challenge, with rubbish often spilling down cliffs like in this image, highlighting the ongoing environmental and sanitation issues in these areas. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A man rides his bike down a dirt road in Huanchaco, passing piles of rubbish alongside a distant water tank. In rural areas like this, many rely on water delivered by truck, with limited infrastructure in place. Despite ongoing efforts to address water access, waste management remains a persistent challenge, with rubbish often spilling onto roadsides and reaching the ocean, exacerbating environmental and public health concerns. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A stray dog sits in front of a house beside a dust-covered mototaxi in Huanchaco. In northern Peru, stray dogs often struggle with access to water, relying on the community to provide for them. Despite efforts like the Ley 4 patas law, which aims to manage the stray population through sterilization programs, many street animals face difficult conditions. Local animal shelters are overwhelmed, and animals are left to survive in harsh environments where access to basic resources, such as water, remains a challenge. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Drought
The desert highway, lined with rubbish, underscores the environmental toll of insufficient waste management on Peru's northern coast. Consistent winds in this arid region exacerbate the issue, scattering debris across the landscape and contributing to a persistent cycle of environmental degradation. Despite some local initiatives for cleanup and waste management, infrastructure in these areas often lags behind, leaving highways and rural zones particularly vulnerable to pollution. Highway 1N, La Libertad, Peru — September 2024
Drought
Workers paint an advertising mural for Aguafiel, a bottled water company. Bottled drinking water remains the primary solution for many, posing significant costs to locals and generating large amounts of plastic waste that often go unaddressed. Local governments frequently view these private-sector stopgaps as a resolution, further delaying comprehensive infrastructure improvements to ensure sustainable water access. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Drought
A plot of land once used for farming sits barren, its watering pipes idle and dust-covered. In rural Peru, limited rainfall and underdeveloped irrigation systems have rendered many agricultural areas unusable. Farmers in these regions face increasing challenges as water scarcity intensifies, often abandoning land that once provided sustenance for local communities, putting further strain on local economies. Huanchaco, Peru — September 2024
Public Project
Drought
Copyright Jeremy Skirrow 2024
Updated Dec 2024
Location Huanchaco, Peru
Topics Corruption, Desert, Documentary, Drought, Environment, Essays, Film, Inequality, Journalism, Mixed Medium, Photography, Photojournalism, Resources, Water
LOVE
184