PROJECTS: The Hinterland: sertao_11_20151111sertao0465

Passagem, Brazil. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.“It’s the first time I’ve seen it dry in my lifetime,” said Pedro Jose Oliveira, 67, a retired fisherman. Senhor Oliveira passes through a fishing net where he delivered water for his cattle from a pump tapped into the dried-out riverbed of the São Francisco River in Bahia, Brazil, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. He receives government assistance due to reduced fish stock because of the drought. The region has suffered from the worst drought in 50 years, with little to no rainfall in the last six years.Located in Northeast Brazil, the Sertão region is characterized by unforgiving heat, slash-and-burn agriculture, water scarcity, and severe environmental degradation. It has the largest concentration of rural poverty in Latin America, with a third of its residents living in extreme poverty. The Sertão is home to nearly 20 million people. The region lies between the Amazon to the west and the northeastern coast, covering nine states. 

Passagem, Brazil. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen it dry in my lifetime,” said Pedro Jose Oliveira, 67, a retired fisherman. Senhor Oliveira passes through a fishing net where he delivered water for his cattle from a pump tapped into the dried-out riverbed of the São Francisco River in Bahia, Brazil, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015. He receives government assistance due to reduced fish stock because of the drought. The region has suffered from the worst drought in 50 years, with little to no rainfall in the last six years.

Located in Northeast Brazil, the Sertão region is characterized by unforgiving heat, slash-and-burn agriculture, water scarcity, and severe environmental degradation. It has the largest concentration of rural poverty in Latin America, with a third of its residents living in extreme poverty. The Sertão is home to nearly 20 million people. The region lies between the Amazon to the west and the northeastern coast, covering nine states.