Indigenous people in colombia?S orinoqu? Region, who already experienced chronic poverty, have seen their livelihoods and health threatened by the covid-19 pandemic

The Inter-American Foundation (IAF) awarded $279,916 under the IAF Assistance for Overseas Programs (CFDA 85.750) to Fundacion Etnollano to implement a COVID-19 prevention and resilience strategy for indigenous communities in northern Vichada, Colombia. Working with seven communities from the Amor?a, Sikuani, and S?iva ethnic groups represented by the Organizaci? Regional de los Pueblos Ind?genas del Bajo Orinoco, Fundacion Etnollano will deliver a strategy based on local knowledge and customs to enhance security, livelihoods, and health threatened by the ongoing pandemic, violence, and resource exploitation in the region. Funded from September 2021 through September 2023, the project aims to strengthen historically marginalized indigenous communities as part of the IAF's broader initiatives to build peace in Colombia and respond to COVID-19 impacts overseas through community-led development.

Violence, threats, and encroachment or exploitation of natural resources by outside interests and non-state armed groups have also increased during the pandemic. The IAF supports strategies to enhance the security of historically marginalized groups. Our grantee fundaci? Para EL etnodesarrollo DE LOS llanos orientales DE colombia (ETNOLLANO) is working with seven communities of amor?a, sikuani, and S?IVA ethnic groups in northern vichada represented by a regional indigenous organization, the organizaci? Regional DE LOS pueblos IND?enas DEL bajo orinoco (ORPIBO), to implement a covid-19 prevention and resilience strategy based on local knowledge and customs. This grant is part of the IAF?S broader initiative to build a just and lasting peace in colombia and the IAF's covid-19 response strategy.