Yanomami Genocide: government declares public health emergency

After a visit by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara, the Ministry of Health (MH) declared a public health emergency in Yanomami Indigenous Land. The region is being affected by health negligence, malaria and severe malnutrition. 

“It is very sad to know that indigenous people, especially 570 Yanomami children, have died of starvation during the last government. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples will take urgent action to fight this humanitarian crisis imposed against our peoples,” said Sônia Guajajara.

Also present at the government visit, Health Minister Nísia Trindade, said that the Bolsonaro government was been “omissive” regarding health care for the Yanomami and blamed illegal gold mining for the state of calamity found.