Manaus Registers Fourth Death among Venezuelan Indian Refugees

06/05/2017 - 11h47

In the fourth death among Venezuelan Indian refugees in Manaus, the capital of the Amazonas, a 64-year-old woman died on Sunday night, June 4, in a building improvised as a shelter in the city center. Her cause of death was registered as sudden illness.

In addition to the woman, identified as ​Ju​ana Garcia, two babies died of chickenpox and pneumonia and a 36-year-old man died in Manaus - his cause of death was not disclosed. Three of them lived in the city's central region.

They all belonged to the Warao ethic group, which first entered the country through Boa Vista, the capital of neighboring state Roraima, and have been moving to Manaus since last year as they escape the Venezuelan crisis. They say that the main problem in their region, some 1,800 kilometers from Manaus, is food shortage.

The Warao population in Manaus has been increasing, according to the survey of the Justice Department of Amazonas. There are now some 530 people, in comparison with 450 registered a month ago. On Saturday, June 3, alone, 14 people arrived in the state.

The Waraos are divided into two groups. The most visible group, of some 278 people, was camping under the viaduct next to the city's bus station. On Wednesday, June 1, they were taken to a building adapted by the state government that can hold 300 people.

On Tuesday, June 6, the Department of Justice will carry out a new census of the Waraos housed in five buildings in the city center; however there is no deadline for relocation.

"We began with the group near the bus station because they were more vulnerable and exposed," the sectary of the Department of Justice, Graça Prola, told Folha.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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