(ANS – Alto Orinoco) – In the final days of January, ANS published a news item regarding the situation of the Yanomami and lack of medical care in various communities in Alto Orinoco. The Turin Missions office contacted Fr Luciano Stefani, Salesian Provincial in Venezuela, and he spoke of the dramatic situation and what has been done so far.

In his letter Fr Stefani thanks them for their interest and comments on the process put in place so far in Alto Orinoco:

Warm greetings and thanks for your interest, given this dramatic situation.

The first action was to publish the facts through whatever means we had at our disposal, ensure that all governing bodies received this information and the local indigenous authorities as well. The document, as you have been able to see, was put together by Fr Nelson Briceño, and involved various authorities and help from local indigenous personnel responsible for health.

The second step was for the Minster for Health to offer some answers.

Now the indigenous authorities, through their laws and procedures, will try to seek urgent answers and indicate actions and correctives so this does not happen again. The indigenous authorities felt encouraged and supported by the Missionaries and the Vicariate in that certain appropriate actions were taken to deal with the situation.

The mission, as far as possible, has acted on each occasion to help transfer the sick and look after them: they have provided outboard motors, fuel, boats, available medicines...

The missionaries and Bishop José Ángel Divassón, sdb, are promoting reflection and providing information at all levels and seeking effective solutions...

Always ready to respond,

We ask for your prayers

 Fr Luciano Stefani

Provincial

Published 12/02/2014