INADEQUATE GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Indigenous organizations claim that the government’s response to COVID-19 has been inadequate and ineffective so far.
On July 1st, the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE) reported that of 2,673 people tested, there were 45% confirmed cases of COVID-19 and there were an additional 622 suspected cases in Indigenous Amazonian communities. These communities face a higher risk than most due to the scarcity of drinking water, food sources, medical supplies, health services and COVID-19 tests.
An oil spill from April 7th and seasonal floods polluted the Coca and Napo rivers, affecting the environment, water, food and livelihoods of nearly 120,000 people including some 27,000 Indigenous individuals. Amnesty International calls on the president to urgently implement an action plan to protect them and guarantee full respect for their human rights.