Covid Aid for Cocama Amazon Indigenous Peoples
Donation protected
This campaign is set up and managed on behalf of Gerson Pizango.
Gerson Pizango is an award winning travel guide and the CEO and founder of the Curuhuinsi Lodge and the non-profit Amazon Indigenous Project. He is also a member of the Cocama indigenous community of Puerto Miguel on the banks of the Ucayali River near Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, about 260 km south of Iquitos Peru. Gerson founded the Curuhuinsi Lodge to a sustainable source of income for members of the community of Puerto Miguel as well as a tool to support the ecological and cultural preservation of the Cocama Indigenous Peoples.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted communities around the globe, it has been especially devastating to the indigenous community of Puerto Miguel. In normal times indigenous communities in Peru already experience a high degree of socio-economic marginalization. They are especially at risk during public health emergencies due to poor access to healthcare, significantly higher rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases, lack of access to essential services, sanitation, and other key preventive measures, including effective health monitoring and early-warning systems. Covid-19 has sickened and killed many in the community, including members of Gerson's family. Additionally, the prolonged reduction in tourism has devastated the local economy as Curuhuinsi Lodge is one of the primary sources of employment for the community. To date the community of Puerto Miguel has received little aid from the Peruvian government.
All proceeds from the campaign will go directly to Gerson and the Fundacion Curuhuinsi to purchase food, medicine, protective equipment, and other vital supplies for the Cocama indigenous community of Puerto Miguel. Any remaining funds will be used to restart the Curuhuinsi Lodge and provide ongoing employment opportunities for the local community.
Gerson Pizango is an award winning travel guide and the CEO and founder of the Curuhuinsi Lodge and the non-profit Amazon Indigenous Project. He is also a member of the Cocama indigenous community of Puerto Miguel on the banks of the Ucayali River near Pacaya–Samiria National Reserve, about 260 km south of Iquitos Peru. Gerson founded the Curuhuinsi Lodge to a sustainable source of income for members of the community of Puerto Miguel as well as a tool to support the ecological and cultural preservation of the Cocama Indigenous Peoples.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted communities around the globe, it has been especially devastating to the indigenous community of Puerto Miguel. In normal times indigenous communities in Peru already experience a high degree of socio-economic marginalization. They are especially at risk during public health emergencies due to poor access to healthcare, significantly higher rates of communicable and non-communicable diseases, lack of access to essential services, sanitation, and other key preventive measures, including effective health monitoring and early-warning systems. Covid-19 has sickened and killed many in the community, including members of Gerson's family. Additionally, the prolonged reduction in tourism has devastated the local economy as Curuhuinsi Lodge is one of the primary sources of employment for the community. To date the community of Puerto Miguel has received little aid from the Peruvian government.
All proceeds from the campaign will go directly to Gerson and the Fundacion Curuhuinsi to purchase food, medicine, protective equipment, and other vital supplies for the Cocama indigenous community of Puerto Miguel. Any remaining funds will be used to restart the Curuhuinsi Lodge and provide ongoing employment opportunities for the local community.
Organizer
Alex Bourland
Organizer
Austin, TX