MAY 26TH, 2020

Even before the Covid-19 crisis the indigenous people of the southern Amazon were facing unprecedented threats.  Widespread deforestation, fires and a hostile government are decimating their tropical forest homes and have left them fighting for their very survival. Now they also face the coronavirus and the reality that a single infection, if spread, could destroy entire villages.

The Kuikuro indigenous community of the Upper Xingu region is responding. As part of a multicultural collaboration, the Amazon Hope Collective, the Kuikuro have banded together with other indigenous communities, scientists, public health experts and other key stakeholders to implement an immediate crisis response that will also lead to long term solutions. 

Since early March the Kuikuro have been using modern geospatial tools (available in their village because of other recent efforts of the Collective) to create precise information on health conditions as well as movement and transportation of goods in the area. This has allowed them to coordinate reparations and response planning with the Brazilian health system to help them cope with the health emergency. 

This model has been enormously successful in identifying what will be needed to protect the people of the Xingu. But now we need your help meeting those needs. The Amazon Hope Collective aims to raise $20,000 in 20 days to bring lifesaving medical supplies and protective gear to the Xingu before it is too late. 

​Screenshot of GIS mapping tool used to track the health of the Kuikuro village during the coronavirus pandemic.

In order for these supplies to arrive in the communities in time, we need to act now!  

A single dollar buys a mask, $20 medicine for one household, $100 a nebulizer and $400 portable oxygen equipment.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE
Official fundraising campaign for the Kuikuro Indigenous Association (AIKAX)
100% of your contribution will go to AIKAX

Amazon Hope Collective: Covid-19 Monitoring and Response Team: (For more information click HERE).

• Kuikuro Indigenous Association (AIKAX): Chief Afukaká Kuikuro, Yanamá Kuikuro (President, AIKAX), Amunegi Kuikuro (Vice President, AIKAX), Kumesi Waura, Uaté Kuikuro and Huke Kuikuro (Geo-spatial technicians), Kauti Kuikuro (health monitor) and Takumã Kuikuro (Coordinator Kuikuro Film Collective and consultant Peoples Palace Project Kuikuro Against Covid Campaign- CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO PPP)
• Scientific Consultants: Dr. Helena Lima (Museu Goeldi), Dr. Michael Heckenberger (U. Florida), Dr. Bruna Franchetto and Dr. Carlos Fausto (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro), Dr. João Ricardo N. Vissoci (Duke U.), Dr. Morgan Schmidt (MIT), Dr. Wetherbee Dorshow (Earth Analytic, Inc./Puente Institute) and Bruno Moraes (U. Pittsburgh)