Since March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic began to affect the state, the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) has led a humanitarian action project in support of indigenous peoples, working on several emergency fronts, such as the distribution of food baskets, hygiene kits, and informative materials. In November 2020, the initiative gained another partner, AVAAZ, which started to support the campaign. As a result, almost three thousand indigenous families from Roraima and also immigrants were helped.
According to the deputy coordinator of the CIR, Edinho Batista, the AVAAZ project, which is still in force, met the purchase of PPE, basic food baskets, generator engines to serve health centers in communities where there is no electricity, inputs for traditional medicine, preparation of informative materials in the prevention of the new coronavirus, in addition to support for psychological care for families affected by the pandemic with the loss of loved ones.
"The work with AVAAZ is one of the important projects in this contribution to the indigenous communities of the state of Roraima, also to immigrants, indigenous organizations and indigenous associations existing in the capital", pointed out the deputy coordinator, Edinho Batista.
Through the partnership with AVAAZ, more than 2,770 indigenous families from the regions of Surumu (543), Serras (600), Baixo Cotingo (500), indigenous people of the Warao people (105), Raposa region (250), Serra da Lua Region: Tabalascada (100), Malacacheta (50), Alta Arraia (60), Moscow (20) Training Center (05), Serra do Sol/Ingarikó community (05), indigenous people living in Boa Vista (200), Amajari region: Cajueiro community (15), Murupu region: Truaru da Cabeceira community (15): São Marcos region: Milho community (22), Tabaio region: Pium (111), Anta I (16): Surumu region: Taxi I (43), indigenous patients of the STI/AIDS/HIV program (140): Indigenous people being treated for Covid in Boa Vista (11).
In addition to foodstuffs, rapid tests, protective material such as masks, gloves, alcohol and gel, goggles and caps were distributed to support the indigenous health posts.
According to data from the Indigenous Coordination of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), on February 1, 2021, 5,274 cases of Covid-19 and 101 deaths among indigenous peoples were confirmed in Roraima. In addition to the impact on health, the pandemic caused a series of changes in the way of life of the communities, such as the suspension of community meetings and classes in schools, an important decision to prevent the spread of the virus among community residents.
"We will continue to strengthen indigenous communities in the fight against Covid-19, and in fact have lives saved so that we can continue to celebrate our victory in the face of this situation we are experiencing", concluded deputy coordinator Edinho Batista.