- Defensa Ambiental and Alianza Humboldt very active -
Landau 23 October 2020.
Numbers and measures speak a clear language. The number of known infections in Peru is 6.4 and in Chile 6.5 times higher than in Germany. The number of people who died in the context of the pandemic is 9.2 times higher in Peru and 6.4 times higher in Chile than in the Federal Republic of Germany (as of 16 October 2020). In both countries there are currently nightly curfews, in some provinces and localities a preventive quarantine applies. This means that only one person per household may leave their home with permission in emergencies, e.g. to visit the doctor and to go grocery shopping. Masks are largely compulsory in public.
Under these conditions, Acorema, SPHENISCO's partner in Peru, was unfortunately unable to continue its educational work in the provinces of Ica and Nazca. Only a very limited communication in the social media was possible. How and when it can continue is unfortunately at anybody’s guess at the moment.
In Chile, Defensa Ambiental IV Region and Alianza Humboldt (SPHENISCO is part of this alliance) have performed a small miracle. Three days before the start of the preemptive quarantine in the region of Coquimbo / La Serena, at the end of July, environmentalists protested once again in public against the mining and harbour project Dominga (see also Sphenisco news flash July). Afterwards, they organized the resistance against the megaproject virtually.
In July, Alianza Humboldt started the relief action "little gardens". Interested citizens of the coastal villages in the municipality of La Higuera were offered lettuce and vegetable plants, among other things, so that they can lay out small gardens. Due to the preemptive quarantine in Coquimbo / La Serena, the delivery of the plants had to be temporarily interrupted. In the meantime, however, Nancy Duman and her allies can deliver plants again, since they have received an exit permit. So it was possible to deliver plants to Pt. de Choros, Caletta Los Hornos, La Higuera, Carrizalillo and other places. This campaign has not only attracted a lot of attention in the Chilean media, it is being talked of all over the coastal villages. Residents send photos of their plants, report on progress, share experiences and repeatedly say how important this kind of support is to them. With this campaign, the Alianza was even able to gain new members.
At the beginning of August, the topic "How we picture the future" was discussed in video conferences with residents of all coastal villages. At the end of August, short videos appeared with statements from citizens of the community of La Higuera, in which they take a stand against Dominga.
By means of livestreaming, four seminars lasting several hours were held, some with quite prominent speakers. The topics were "Archipelago Humboldt - Hope for Sustainable Development in Chile" on 22 August, "Sea and Land" on 12 September, "Environment and the New Constitution" on 3 October , and "Constitution and Original Inhabitants" on 17 October.
(for "little gardens", "statements" and "seminars" see also www. Alianza Humboldt youtube as well as www.facebook Defensa Ambiental IV Region "Videos").
A group of fishermen from La Higuera documented their resistance against the destruction of the Humboldt Archipelago with the image of a whale on the beach. They had formed the image out of shells and filmed with a drone. Very creative and gorgeous!
The group Victor Jara from Los Choros and Pt. de Choros were dancing against Dominga in the desert. Another creative action that is worth seeing.
https://www.facebook.com/447943365596681/videos/812478609558502/
Defensa Ambiental IV Region and Alianza Humboldt managed to initiate and organize lively and creative protests in the lockdown. SPHENISCO would like to thank everyone who relentlessly are working and have been working on these projects , but especially Nancy Duman for her tireless commitment.
W.K.
translated by Angelika Veelken
