Press Alianza Napurak

STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE SHIWIAR TERRITORY

URGENT CALL FOR HUMANITARIAN AID

* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *

[Puyo, Ecuador May 29, 2020]: Today NASHIE announces a State of Emergency for 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the isolated communities of Bufeo and Kapirna, located in the Shiwiar territory, Pastaza province, Ecuador.

First COVID-19 infections in Shiwiar territory: In the first week of May, two members of the Bufeo community left their community by canoe to buy food and other materials. During the first weeks of May, they returned to the Bufeo community by canoe via the Canelos road. After his return, symptoms of COVID-19 appeared first in the Bufeo community and later in the Kapirna community. Between the two communities, they arranged to make the rapid test purchase (PCR) and a humanitarian flight to the Bufeo community with the airline Socorro de Alas to make the confirmation of COVID-19. The results of these tests were confirmed on May 24 with 7 confirmed cases. On the other hand, after a second admission of doctors to perform rapid tests in the Kapirna community, 4 other cases were confirmed.

Urgent: Out of the 11 confirmed cases, today the two communities of Bufeo and Kapirna have members who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. The population of these communities, around 350 inhabitants, are at high risk where they live isolated in the depths of the Amazon without any medical center or rapid transportation. Additionally, we want to ask attention that within our territory, we are not only affected by the health emergency of COVID-19, but by other serious cases of malaria in the border communities that put our communities in greater danger.

"I am very sorry, there are many old men there, wise women and wise men, and if they die they will take all the knowledge," said Veronica Saquilanda, NASHIE women's leader.

Humanitarian Aid Call: NASHIE is making a pop-up call for humanitarian aid for Shiwiar territory. It is working to assemble biosecurity, food, and educational communication kits on COVID-19.

Actions: The organization is analyzing the implementation of risk management protocols within the territory for the protection and containment of COVID-19 that will include the delivery of biosecurity supplies, transport restrictions, suggestions for medicinal plants and a community communication campaign to COVID-19 management education.

Press Conference: On June 2, 2020 at 09:00, leaders of NASHIE and CONFENAIE will launch a press conference to report a state of emergency and demand urgent measures from citizens, local, national and international media.

NASHIE: The NASHIE (Nationality Shiwiar of Ecuador) is a self-sufficient entity that represents the Shiwiar people settled in Ecuadorian territory. It was founded to protect the culture, the territory, the laws and the rights of the Shiwiar people in Ecuador, strengthening their way of life and ensuring their ancestral territory.

International Media Contact: Kayla Vandervort / NASHIE / alianzamingaec@gmail.com

National Media Contact: Tom Sharupi / CONFENAIE / juventudconfeniae@gmail.com