The Yanomami need our help!

The Yanomami are one of the largest indigenous groups in South America, with around 38,000 people distributed between Brazil and Venezuela on a territory twice the size of Switzerland.

In the last 4 years of the extreme rightwing leader Jair Bolsonaro as a Brazilian president, the Yanomami have been in constant danger due to governmental policies. Backed up by the Armed Forces, the government dismantled federal organizations devoted to protect the Amazon and its indigenous inhabitants. With less control from the authorities, what followed was an invasion of illegal miners on several territories across the forest putting in danger indigenous groups from several ethnicities. Mining is extremely dangerous to their health and the environment as mercury is dumped on the rivers causing serious intoxication and newborn malformation. The miners also bring diseases to the communities and there has been armed conflicts in the area as the indigenous are trying to protect themselves with their own hands.

The government also deviated federal financial resources in favour of political supporters, leaving an estimate of 10,000 Yanomami children without health assistance. In 2021, the Yanomami had the highest child mortality rate in the world.

Although indigenous leaders have been warning against this situation, this crisis gained media attention to the world now with the change of government in Brazil. President Lula declared it as a “public health emergency” as the communities are suffering with malaria, malnutrition, diarrhea and, especially, intoxication cause by mercury.

This is a clear genocide attempt and the situation is critical. We are fundraising for them so every help is welcome.

All proceedings from our event will be sent to Hutukara, an organization formed by the Yanomami to defend their rights and run their own projects.

Tickets for the event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-yanomamis-need-our-help-tickets-526598118147

Music by:

Gerah (dublab Brazil) @gerah.jpeg

Lex Blondin (TRC) @lex_blondin

Plinio (Ondo Onda) @pliniomfferreira

Zuim (Bacana Radio) @pedrozuim

Screening by: Cine Brazil - 5pm

We will watch "The Last Forest" (2021), an incredible film documenting the life of the Yanomami community and their threatened natural environment in the Amazon forest

Directed by: Luiz Antônio Bolognesi - 1h 17m

Context by: Brazil Matter

Support by:

Cafe 1001 @cafe_1001

Cine [email redacted]zil

Ondo [email redacted]a.vibes

Total Refreshment Centre @totalrefreshmentcentre