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| An Onge man. © Survival |
Eight members of the Onge tribe in the Andaman Islands, India, have died and 15 more are in hospital after drinking from a container which washed ashore on their island reserve.
The Onge numbered just 100 before this tragedy. They were devastated following British occupation of the islands in the 19th Century. In 1900 they numbered around 670 people.
They now face the prospect of losing around 10% of their entire surviving population in one go. Before this blow, their numbers had been stable for several decades.
It is thought that the Onge believed the plastic can contained alcohol. Although the Onge can hunt and fish, many have become dependent on rations from the islands’ administration, and some have become dependent on alcohol.
By contrast the two more isolated tribes of the islands, the Jarawa and Sentinelese, are still self-sufficient.
Stephen Corry, Director of Survival, said today, ‘This is a calamity for the Onge. If any more die, it could put the survival of the entire tribe in serious danger.’
For more information please contact Miriam Ross at Survival International on (44) (0)20 7687 8734 or (44) (0)7504 543 367 or email mr@survival-international.org
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Act now to help the Jarawa
Survival’s Andamans campaign focuses on the Jarawa, because their situation is the most precarious of the four tribes. Your support is vital for the Jarawa’s survival. There are lots of ways you can help.
- Donate to Survival’s campaign for the Jarawa and other threatened tribal peoples
- Write to the Indian 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 Indian high commission or embassy
- If you want to get more involved, contact Survival
