This footage was filmed and produced 5 April 2024.

Lack of rainfall for eight months in Suriname has significantly lowered the water level of the Suriname River, a major transportation route of the country, hindering goods transportation and people's mobility.

Affected by El Nino, Suriname, a country on the northeastern coast of South America, is experiencing its worst drought in 25 years.

The impact of this prolonged dry spell has been particularly evident in Atjoni, a village located on the left bank of the upper Suriname River.

Boat operators have grappled with the dire conditions of waterway transport where rocks emerged and rapids become turbulent, posing challenges for passages of boats.

Therefore, transportation costs have increased due to the need of additional assistants to help navigate the rapids.

In a local supermarket, a 10-kilogram bag of rice is priced at 400 Surinamese dollars (about 11 U.S. dollars), while the cost to transport a bag of rice to a village 45 kilometers upstream is equivalent to the price of half a bag of rice.

This situation has put a strain on the livelihoods of villagers who rely on regular boat transportation for their daily needs.

In another village located upstream, local residents have grappled with prolonged drought for several months which has caused crop failures and food shortages.

"Now we have three corps here, peanut, cassava and also the yams. But we only see the cassava rise. So you see only it can survive. Another one cannot survive," said a villager.

Facing uncertainties, farmers are pinning their hopes on the timely arrival of the rainy season in April that can alleviate their difficulties and restore agricultural productivity.

SHOTLIST

Suriname - April 5, 2024
1. River
2. Various of boats at bank;
3. Various of boats sailing;
4. Various of market, rice;
5. Various of farmland;
6. Various of villager in farmland;
7. SOUNDBITE (English) villager (name not given) (starting with shot 6):
"Now we have three corps here, peanut, cassava and also the yams. But we only see the cassava rise. So you see only it can survive. Another one cannot survive.";
8. Various of dry plants along road.

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