FIRE IN THE ENAWENE NAWE VILLAGE – URGENT APPEAL

Early this afternoon, we received news from Atainaene Enawene Nawe and from staff at the Centre for Indigenous Health in Brasnorte, MT, that Halataikwa, the village of the Enawene Nawe native people (built only last November), has been completely burned to the ground. The fire was so rapid and fierce that it consumed everything, even aluminium pans. There was no time to save any possessions. Three people have received burn injuries and have been sent to the town of Brasnorte, in the north-east of Mato Grosso, 700km from Cuiabá, the state capital. The health team have been sent to the banks of the Juruena River to receive casualties.

The Enawene Nawe are pleading for help, and seek support from all their partners and others who can unite with them in this most difficult time. As if their other difficulties were not enough, for example threats to the integrity of their traditional homelands, they have to confront this situation which has taken away all of their material necessities.

Remember that Halataikwa has a population of 500 people, many of whom are children.

They have lost everything, and have already made their first request, large cooking pots. They have nothing in which to prepare food in the next hours and days.

Initially the other priority will be the supply of petrol (for fishing boats) and food. It is important to remember that the Enawene Nawe do not eat red meat (or anything prepared from it). They eat fish, rice, pasta, beans, root crops, honey, chick, savoury and sweet biscuits, and fruits (mainly citrus fruit and bananas).

The supply of petrol, diesel and 2-stroke oil is an absolute necessity for them to be able to use their boats and truck. All local towns are all good distances from the Juruena River, and transport to the village is only possible by boat. They will need to take donations to the village, and will need to transport thatch and timber from the forest for the reconstruction of the village. As the village was only recently built, they will have to travel great distances to that they can collect palm leaves for thatch, as the natural resources closer to the village have not yet regenerated.

The rainy season has started, and this is an even more distressing factor, as without shelter, they will not be able to control their environment, exposing children to illnesses such as diarrhoea and upper respiratory tract infections.

For urgent donations, and other help, please contact:

(065) 3322 2980 (OPAN Cuiabá)

(066) 3592 1673 (Centre for Indigenous Health, Brasnorte)

opan@terra.com.br

opan@alternex.com.br

Financial donations to: HSBC Bank Brasil S.A.

Branch: 0233

Account number: 13003 93

Código SWIFT:. BCBBBRPR

Account holder:

OPERAÇÃO AMAZÔNIA NATIVA - OPAN

CNPJ: 93.017.325/0001-68

Avenida Ipiranga, 97, bairro Goiabeira

CEP: 78.020-810 - Cuiabá - MT, Brasil

OPAN – Operação Amazônia Nativa

Operation Native Amazonia

15^th October, 2007