One of the most serious droughts experienced by Amazonas has required commitment from authorities, civil society leaders and the entire community to guarantee basic supplies for the local population.
With 60 of the state’s 62 municipalities affected and a series of emergency measures taken by the state and federal governments, the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) joins forces to also raise supplies for the communities. The foundation receives donations such as food baskets, drinking water, basic medicines and fuel and other items.
According to Virgílio Viana, general superintendent of FAS, the expectation is that the dimensions of the campaign will be similar to those of the initiative carried out during the covid-19 pandemic. The non-profit organization helped around 8 thousand communities and villages, reaching 650 thousand people during the fight against coronavirus.
All beneficiaries are part of communities within the Piranha Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS). These are communities called “guardians of the forest” — comprised of conservation units, extractive units, and indigenous or quilombola lands.
Support from institutions proved essential at the time. There were 129 partner institutions — which is anticipated on the same scale for the current campaign.
The delivery of some donations has already started. Viana reports having heard from residents of the region that the situation is desperate.
“It is a critical situation. When the river dries up, it is not possible to take a sick person, a perishable product, nor is it possible to buy something and transport it. It creates a problem of logistics, economic consequences, for health, from a social point of view, and also environmentally”, he told CNN .
The current drought experienced in the North region has been very abrupt, with a significant drop in the waters of the Rio Negro in September, which did not allow people to prepare. Furthermore, the drought has reached a critical level and is on track to break a record.
“It is very important for people to realize that the Amazon is different from other parts of the country. Firstly, because the first form of transport is by water. A drought here in relation to a drought in the northeast: a water truck arrives there. It’s not enough here. There is no culture of adaptation to drought here. This also makes it worse”, highlighted Viana.
Deputy Amom Mandel (Cidadania-AM) works in the political articulation of the movement to help communities, especially those without drinking water. Mandel has been mobilizing state leaders to support the campaign.
“Federal support is not enough to meet the water and humanitarian demands of riverside dwellers and indigenous people”, explained the parliamentarian. With this, FAS joins efforts with federal and state resources destined for the region.
Without water and food
It is estimated that more than 800 communities are without access to drinking water and food, totaling around 500,000 people in this situation, according to estimates by the state government.
One of the difficulties faced in water supply is access to these locations. Most only have clandestine airports. There are few roads, and access by water is made impossible due to the dryness of local rivers.
“We have taken them to certain sections by helicopter. Another part does it on motorbikes”, reported the deputy, who has been collecting lots of bottles of water to take to the communities.
Mandel accompanied the visit of vice-president Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), last week, to the drought-stricken region. The deputy also spoke with the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, about strategies to serve communities.
How to help
The Sustainable Amazon Foundation continues its charitable campaign to raise donations for people affected by the extreme drought in the Lago Piranha Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS) and other communities.
Non-perishable food and drinking water can be delivered to the FAS headquarters, located at Rua Álvaro Braga, 351, Parque Dez neighborhood, in Manaus (AM). Donations of financial resources can be made using the PIX key 03351359000188 – Fundação Amazônia Sustentável and via the website bit.ly/doe-amazonia.
Source: CNN Brasil
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