Eronilde Fermin is the chief of the Omágua Kambeba in São Paulo de Olivença, in the Brazilian Amazon. The following is an account of the struggle of unequal forces she faces when trying to guarantee indigenous education, medical care during the pandemic, and protection against invaders.
Category: Brazil
‘Defending the jungle is defending community life,‘ says leader from Ecuadorian Amazon
Rosa Aranda faces two miseries. One in her own body: she was infected by Covid-19. The other is the historical pollution generated by the oil industry, which threatens the territory in which she lives, Piwiri, in the Ecuadorian Amazon forest.
Amazon heroes who don’t give up
The Guardians of the Forest, a group of indigenous Guajajara in the Brazilian state of Maranhão, struggle to defend their land from invaders and to guarantee their survival in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brazil: deforestation grows again in May. High in the year is 34%
Contrary to what the vice president said, devastation grew 12% in the month, 34% in the year and in 2019-2020 will probably be one of the highest ever recorded since the start of the count of Inpe
Far from ICUs and ventilators, indigenous people from the Amazon try to shield themselves from the virus
Analysis shows that the distance between villages inland in the Amazon and the nearest ICU bed can exceed 1000 km. There are no pulmonary ventilators in most Amazonian municipalities.
Sebastião Salgado calls for protection of indigenous people during the pandemic
One of the greatest photographers of today sends a letter to Bolsonaro stating that the Covid-19 epidemic may represent the genocide of several ethnic groups.
Attacks against environmental defenders continue during the COVID-19 crisis
At least six defenders of the environment have been killed in Latin American since 11 March, the date on which the pandemic was declared.
Land of Resistants: defending the environment has never been so dangerous.
A team of 45 journalists from ten countries gathered to investigate episodes of violence against environmental leaders and their communities.
Besieged by progress
A obra de um porto para transporte de grãos, combustíveis e minérios une Brasil e China a casos de violência contra populações rurais
Indigenous communities under siege in Rondon’s land
The invasions of indigenous territories in Rondonia are not something new. But data on episodes of violence in the countryside, such as assassinations of leaders and threats to communities, reveal the resurgence of this fight.