Imagine waking up every day unsure if your water is safe to drink. For thousands in the Navajo Nation—the U.S.’s largest Indigenous community spanning Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah—this is reality. 🌵
The Uranium Shadow
Between 1944 and 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were mined here for atomic weapons and nuclear power. But after the mines closed? No cleanup. ☢️
Thirst in the Desert
Today, 30-40% of Navajo residents lack running water. Many rely on groundwater pumps or drive hours to fill tanks—water often contaminated by uranium. The result? Cancer and diabetes rates far above national averages.
Pandemic Pain
COVID-19 hit hard. ‘Handwashing was nearly impossible,’ one resident told CGTN. Another described rationing water for basics like cooking and cleaning. 💔
This isn’t just a crisis—it’s a generations-long struggle for justice. As one local put it: ‘Water is life. Without it, we can’t survive.’
