Suriname Red Cross
1 April, 2002
Suriname Red Cross organizes Food-Drive
for indigenous population in the south of the country
The Suriname Red Cross (SRC) is running
a two-month food relief distribution for 3,500 indigenous
people threatened by food shortage. Four Trio villages in
the South of the country - Kwamalasemutu, with the largest
concentration of indigenous people, Tepu, Sipaliwini and Palumeu
- saw their crops fail due to extreme drought and a plague
of parasol ants.
A total of 3,300 kilos of food have already
been flown to the area. Further 1,700 kilos of food will be
soon airlifted to the area.
Food parcels contain Trio's primarily
main food, manioc. They also include rice, cooking oil, flour
and sorts of peas. Extra items such as brown sugar, brown
beans and peanut butter, were also supplied by various merchants.
The granman Asongo Alalapuru and the
governmental supervising administrator Jerry Ai Ai, informed
RC volunteer Christien Wirokromo, on the alarming situation.
The SRC contacted different environmental organisations that
operate in the area such as the Amazone Conservation Team,
the Conservation International and the Medical Mission, who
confirmed the critical situation.
"Through a SRC press release broadcasted
by radio and television, the community got well informed on
the suffering that was to overcome our indigenous fellow citizens"
said Anne-Marie Guicherit, director of the SRC.
Not only the trading business but the
whole business community provided support with in cash and
in kind donations. In addition, schools, organisations and
individuals also donated their time and expertise. The government,
in particular the Ministry of Social Affairs, supplied rice
and baby food.
Due to the action taken by the SRC the
direct food shortage is over, but the crisis is far from being
resolved. Cash donations will also be used to research for
a structural solution for the problem of the parasol ants,
which confront the Trio's every year. With the remaining funds
the SRC will initiate a humanitarian fund for this vulnerable
population.
The SRC has been coordinating its efforts
with other NGO's active in the area. The Amazone Conservation
Team coordinates the flights to the affected area and the
SRC concerns itself with the food collection and the collecting
of money. Currently, the SRC has collected more than SF 16
million both in cash and in kind donations.
For more information please contact:
PR The Suriname Red Cross and National Blood Bank
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