WCS collaborated with the Confederation of Indigenous People of Bolivia (CIDOB) and the Organization of Indigenous People of La Paz (CPILAP) in their efforts to get support from USAID, to receive donations of biosafety supplies and oxygen concentrators for the indigenous communities in the northern Amazon region of La Paz.
This donation of biosecurity supplies (alcohol, atomizers, face masks, protective glasses, acrylic gloves, spraying backpack) and medical equipment (wheelchair, oximeter, oxygen concentrators) was delivered directly to 29 health centers or the community health posts of the Leco, Mosetén, T'simane, Tacana and Uchupiamonas, indigenous people affiliated to CPILAP.
The first set of biosecurity supplies and equipment was delivered on 15th September, to the representatives of the Leco Larecaja Indogenous People (PILCOL), in Guanay; to the Organization of the Moseten Indigenous People (OPIM), in Palos Blancos; and to the Lecos Apolo Indignenous People (CIPLA), in Apolo. The second delivery was made on 22nd September, in San Buenaventura, to the Tacana People Indigenous Council (CIPTA), the T´simane Moseten Regional Council of Pilón Lajas (CRTM-PL) and the San José de Uchupiamonas Indigenous People (PI-SJU). Additionally, biosecurity supplies and equipment were sent to the organization of the Indigenous Tacana Communities of the Madre de Dios river (CITRMD), as well as to the communities of Guarayos and Lomerío, in Santa Cruz, and Yukis, in Cochabamba.
Since the COVID 19 pandemic has affected the indigenous people of the Amazon, WCS has focused its efforts on supporting the indigenous organizations of CIDOB and CPILAP in actions aimed at protecting the health of the communities, especially those that are more remote, as well as preventing the spread of the virus. The problems affecting the communities are the lack of COVID-19 test kits, the lack of timely medical care, the lack of communication and the difficulties of transporting the sick to first level centers and hospitals. Provision of equipment to the health centers or community posts, and the delivery of information materials (booklets, social network messages and radio spots) in Spanish and native languages (T'simane and Quechua), will contribute to solve some of these pressing health needs in the indigenous communities.