Guarani Indian children die of starvation
February 22, 2007
This page was created in 2007 and may contain language which is now outdated.
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.
