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Carti Sugtupu Island rests just 1,200 metres off Panama's northern coast, completely surrounded by the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Closely standing together, houses on the islet extend over the sea supported by stilts.

Inhabited by around 2,000 indigenous Guna people, life on the island is hard.

There are no public services, or potable water and communal cubicles replace private toilets.

The people survive by fishing, harvesting crops like cassava and plantain, traditional textile production and a bit of tourism.

But life is about to change for the islanders.

They're preparing to be relocated to the mainland, a move Magdalena Martinez is looking forward to.

Relocation to the mainland has proven necessary as a result of climate change.

The San Blas Archipelago, including Carti Sugtupu, is under threat of sinking.

Steven Paton is a researcher at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

The Panamanian government, after much delay, has announced that by the end of 2023 or early 2024 it will move 300 families to the mainland to a newly constructed neighbourhood, complete with a school.

Teacher Braulio Navarro is delighted.

The greatest fear of the Guna people is losing their traditions and their lifestyle when they move to the mainland, but Magdalena Martinez believes there's no doubt that their island spirit will remain.

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