Survival launches raffle in aid of Penan

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Survival International has launched its 2008 Raffle in aid of the Penan and other threatened tribal peoples around the world. This year’s top prize is a luxury two-night stay for up to six people in the stunning Yorkshire Dales, generously donated by eco-friendly NATURAL RETREATS.

With last year’s raffle, Survival raised over £18,000 to fund its urgent campaign for uncontacted tribes. The campaign has already had a big impact.

In Peru, the government has dropped plans to open up uncontacted Indians’ lands to oil exploration, while Brazil has protected the Rio Pardo territory, home to a tiny group of Indians on the verge of extinction. And in May and June this year, following the release of pictures of an uncontacted tribe taken from the air, the issue was discussed in the media worldwide, making millions of people aware of the threats to isolated peoples.

The Penan tribe are Borneo’s last nomads. Their lush rainforests in Sarawak, Malaysia, are being cut down at a terrifying rate. When they protest, they are arrested. Thousands of hectares of forest have gone already.

This year, secret plans were revealed to build a series of massive hydroelectric dams, which will submerge the homes of at least a thousand Penan and other tribal people.

Tribes like the Penan have rights to their ancestral land. If these rights are respected, tribal people have a future. This year’s raffle aims to help make sure their voices are heard.

Survival’s director Stephen Corry said today, ‘Thanks to those who bought Survival’s raffle tickets, there has been real progress for uncontacted tribes.’

Buy tickets

*Please note: this Raffle is only open to UK residents.