Govt slammed over failure to help starving indigenous children
Tuesday, 27 September 2011 12:22
James Bargent
A Colombian congresswoman has criticized the Family Welfare Institute (ICBF) following a report by La Semana into indigenous children dying of starvation in central Colombia.
The La Semana report detailed how infant mortality rates in the area of Puerto Gaitan in the department of Meta are three times the national average, with 61 deaths per 1,000 children.
~snip~
Last week, representatives from the indigenous communities presented a statement to Vice President Angelino Garzon last week, in which they blamed their plight on the region’s oil boom.
According to the community, the arrival of oil production has contaminated water supplies and ruined land used for hunting and cultivating crops.
More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/19276-congresswoman-criticizes-govt-help-for-dying-indigenous-children.html