The Apostolic Vicariate of Inírida continues, in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, its work of assistance and proximity to some indigenous communities in the Department of Guainía. As of November, a second round of humanitarian and health assistance is planned for the communities living along the Guainía river, which crosses the department in the central part.

According to information sent to Fides, this mission intends to “support and strengthen health assistance for five communities of the Curripaco ethnic group on the Guainía river, by visiting Galilee, San Felipe, Puerto Colombia, San José, and Santa Rita, as well as two communities in Venezuela, including Maroa and San Gabriel”. The department borders, in the west by the Venezuelan state of Amazonas and in the south by the Brazilian Amazonas.

The group will be accompanied by a doctor and two nursing assistants, who will participate in the consultations for seven months, by a couple of lay missionaries who will distribute humanitarian aid consisting of food kits and biosecurity materials, as well as pastorally supporting these communities. There will also be other local collaborators in different areas. In this context 1,200 food aid kits, 1,200 hygiene kits, and biosecurity items will be delivered to five health centers in Colombia and two in Venezuela. Medicines and personal protective items will also be provided in this context.

For the team members, this experience represents an important professional challenge, through which they contribute to the well-being of the country and the department in one of the most remote areas of the region. As Dr. Octaviano, who will accompany the mission, states, “based on our professional knowledge, we are currently helping to improve the situation of what is happening due to Covid-19, to the extent that a scientific investigation will be carried out to know the epidemiological characteristics of this area”.

The health and humanitarian initiative, supported by the Apostolic Vicariate of Inírida, is chaired by the Apostolic Vicar, Mgr. Joselito Carreño Quiñónez and by the Colombian Episcopate and, as the note from the Apostolic Vicariate informs, it seeks to preserve people’s lives and help win the everyday battle against the Covid-19 emergency.

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