Key considerations: Indigenous Peoples in COVID-19 response and recovery

This SSHAP brief discusses key considerations for COVID-19 response and recovery, with a particular focus on the Amazon region of South America. Indigenous peoples have experienced heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic and face disproportionately high COVID-19 mortality. To better address these vulnerabilities, it is critical to adapt COVID-19 programmes to the particular needs of indigenous peoples, as articulated by indigenous voices. It is also vital to link up with responses already ongoing and led by indigenous peoples to mitigate this crisis.

The principles proposed by indigenous organisations and summarised in this brief should be used to guide engagement with indigenous leaders, organisations and communities in designing strategies that fulfil this promise, as outlined in the final key considerations above. Adequate resourcing for dialogue with indigenous peoples and leaders will be critical to ensure connections between state-run COVID-19 response and recovery and indigenous-led responses. Those principles include:

1. Identify and monitor the specific epidemiological, demographic and social dimensions of indigenous vulnerability to COVID-19.
2. Target economic and social protection responses to address the particular vulnerability of indigenous livelihoods.
3. Incorporate indigenous knowledge, expertise and cultural understandings into COVID19 prevention and treatment strategies.
4. Respect indigenous territorial rights, including the right to isolation.
5. Listen to indigenous communities and organisations.