Floods have already affected more than 80 indigenous communities in RS; find out how to help

By Cimi Communications Office

The impacts of the unprecedented rains and floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul are overwhelming in indigenous communities in the region. A collaborative survey indicates that more than 80 indigenous communities and territories were directly affected, some extremely seriously.

The mapping, which is still being updated, is carried out jointly by the Indigenous Missionary Council – Cimi South Regional, Guarani Yvyrupa Commission (CGY), Fundação Luterana de Diaconia, Mission Council among Indigenous Peoples and Center for Support and Promotion of Agroecology (FLD /Comin/Capa), in addition to the State Council of Indigenous Peoples of Rio Grande do Sul (Cepi/RS).

The mapping, which is still being updated, is carried out jointly

Communities of the Guarani Mbya, Kaingang, Xokleng and Charrua peoples, spread across 49 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, are the most impacted in the region. Among the communities that are in the most serious state of emergency, all of them belonging to the Guarani Mbya people, are Lami and Ponta do Arado, located in the municipality of Porto Alegre, with 18 families affected; Yva’ã Porã, in Canela, with 16 affected families; Flor do Campo and Passo Grande Ponte, in Barra do Ribeiro, with 25 families impacted, and the 19 families from the Araçaty village located in the municipality of Capivari do Sul.

In these communities, families had to leave their homes to move to higher areas, given the risk of flooding and landslides. In the Pekuruty village, located on the banks of BR-290, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) destroyed the community’s houses and buildings, without any consultation or justification.

Families had to leave their homes to move to higher areas

According to Roberto Liegbott, missionary from Cimi Regional Sul, “this community was removed so that DNIT could repair a pipe that runs there and they ended up destroying the entire indigenous community. They took away the indigenous people’s houses without the Guarani even knowing or being notified. The indigenous people are currently in a shelter, but when they return, the community will no longer exist, because the DNIT destroyed everything”, informed the missionary.

Flooding persists in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. The situation is still worrying in the municipalities of Canoas, Esteio, Sapucaia do Sul, São Leopoldo, Novo Hamburgo, Guaíba, Eldorado do Sul and Cachoeirinha, in addition to the neighborhoods of Porto Alegre, especially in the North and South zones.

“They ripped up the indigenous people’s houses without the Guarani even knowing or being notified”

The survey carried out by indigenous and indigenous organizations is still in a preliminary stage and aims to help, in this emergency phase, carry out a donation campaign for the affected communities. “There is a set of entities and institutions organized to help these families not only in this first moment, but also afterwards, in the reconstruction of their homes and villages”, explained Roberto.

The organizations ask for support and donations of food, hygiene and cleaning materials, tarpaulins, tiles, mattresses and blankets for the communities. Donations can be made at the Menino Jesus de Praga Parish, in the city of Porto Alegre, in Rio Grande do Sul.

The organizations ask for support and donations of food, hygiene and cleaning materials, tarps, tiles, mattresses and blankets for the communities

Cimi Regional Sul, ArpinSul and the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (Apib) also provided a bank account to receive financial donations.

In addition to supporting the ongoing donation campaign, the mapping of impacted areas also seeks to provide information to demand, from both the federal and state governments, measures and support for the indigenous communities of Rio Grande do Sul.

The mapping of impacted areas also seeks to provide information to demand action

“There is also a need for the regularization and demarcation of territories, preferably ensuring adequate places, not degraded, so that these families can live with a horizon of security and not vulnerability as occurs today”, considers Roberto Liebgott.