Many residents relocated from Panama's low-lying island of Carti Sugtupu to Nuevo Carti (New Carti), a newly built settlement by the Panamanian government, are expressing nostalgia for their old home as they adjust to their new life.
The new mainland settlement was built by the government to protect residents on this Caribbean island from sinking caused by rising sea levels due to climate change.
The neighborhood has over 300 homes, with many still under construction. Each family relocated from the island receives a 41-square-meter, two-bedroom home with running water and electricity. Now, over 1,000 of the approximately 1,200 inhabitants have been relocated.
Some residents find life more convenient here due to reliable utilities and more space for children to play, but they have nonetheless expressed longing for the island, which is closer to the beach and filled with shared memories.
Ignacio Martínez Santos, a 78-year-old resident who just moved from the island to his furnished new home, says that he loves his new place but still misses his former life.
"For me, life was happier on the island. I could bathe in the sea. I love life on the island because I lived there for a long time. My ancestors also lived there. I was born and raised on the island," said Santos.
In addition to nostalgia, another challenge for the islanders is finding suitable work, with some already preparing to grow crops like pumpkins, bananas and pineapples on plots in front of their homes.
Nely Delgado, a relocated resident, quickly opened a small shop in the new community, while her husband uses his culinary skills learned in Panama City, capital of Panama, to bake bread for the community. Though the couple is quickly adjusting to their new life, Delgado feels uneasy about the fact that her elderly mother refuses to leave the island.
"We feel good living here, but I miss my relatives who remain, especially my mother. I miss the sea and everything about the island," she said.
The new community's infrastructure is gradually improving, with plans to build a new school.
In reality, the relocation of indigenous communities on Carti Sugtupu is just one example of the region grappling with the adverse effects of climate change. As many more Caribbean islands face the threat of being submerged, the Panamanian government is assessing the next island in need of relocation.
Despite improvements, relocated Panama Islanders miss their old home
