Due to the historical negligence on part of the Peruvian government towards indigenous communities and due to the collapse of the health system, Shipibo Konibo people are in a state of vulnerability against the spread of the COVID-19 virus and against any other disease. The Emergency Health Fund wants to meet the needs of Shipibo-Konibo families and/or individuals in the Ucayali region providing emergency care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused concern all around the world and the Peruvian Amazon is not an exception. Due to the historical negligence on part of the Peruvian government towards indigenous communities and due to the collapse of the health system, Shipibo Konibo people are in a state of vulnerability against the spread of the virus and against any other disease such as anemia, pneumonia, dengue, diabetes, infections, etc.
Concerned about this scenario, Alianza Arkana and Xapiri Ground, had the idea of creating an Emergency Health Fund that can meet the needs of Shipibo-Konibo families and/or individuals in the Ucayali region. This fund is being managed by our organization and provides emergency care for a maximum amount of 500 soles per Shipibo Konibo family and/or individual within the Ucayali region.
The Emergency Health Fund initiative enabled us to recruit a Shipibo-Konibo person for the coordination of this project: Ruth Mahua, an indigenous young girl, is now a new member of our team. In this sense, the Emergency Health Fund allows us not only to attend Shipibo-Konibo families' emergencies, but it also generates job opportunities. Until now this fund has reached 12 Shipibo families.
