Indigenous sector urgently requests to initiate specific protocols for isolated communities and towns; such as the provision of food supplies.
Through a virtual press conference, Jaime Vargas, president of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) asked the Government to promote a “rapid tests” program for the diagnosis of COVID-19 in rural communities.
“Rapid tests must be done at all social levels, not only in privileged sectors,” claimed Vargas, who recalled that rural communities are highly vulnerable to the pandemic.
On April 1, the representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), in Ecuador, Gina Watson, warned that in the country there are no epidemiological surveillance protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in indigenous peoples and nationalities.
In this context, the president of the Conaie indicated that they are concerned about the rapid spread of the virus throughout the country, especially in the province of Guayas, considered the main source of contagion in the country and where a large community of peasants lives. poor engaged in agricultural trade.
“In Guayas there is a high percentage of deceased indigenous brothers,” said Vargas, who commented that since they do not have precise data, the authorities have been asked for precise information on the deceased peasants.
To this, there are one hundred families of the Huaorani ethnic group who have not been able to return to their communities in the Amazon jungle of the provinces of Pastaza, Napo and Orellana due to the suspension of the transport service in light aircraft, which is sometimes the only means to get to their territories.
On the other hand, Vargas said that the solidarity bonds that the Government has offered to poor families affected by the health crisis should reach the amount of the basic salary of $ 400 per month.
SOURCE: El Comercio / Twitter
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