Two children from the Guarani Kaiowá tribe have died of starvation, and several dozen are being treated in hospital for severe malnutrition.
Within days of the children's deaths, Valdinez Souza, a Guarani health worker and father of two children, hanged himself. He left a note by his body saying he had killed himself because children in his community are suffering from acute hunger.
Despite this alarming situation, the Mato Grosso do Sul state government has cut food aid to the Guarani.
Brazil's health foundation, FUNASA, says it will distribute food baskets to needy families, but many fear this will only be a temporary measure.
For more information on the Guarani's malnutrition crisis, click here.
To take action in support of the Guarani, click here.
Act now to help the Guarani
Your support is vital for the Guarani’s survival. There are lots of ways you can help.
- Donate to Survival’s campaign for the Guarani
- Write to the Brazilian government using Survival’s online letter-writing tool
- Write to your MP or MEP (UK) or Senators and members of Congress (US).
- Write to your local Brazilian embassy
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival
