
SELVA-VIDA SIN FRONTERAS' AMAZON PINK DOLPHIN 25/02/2024
The Medical Services & Food relief program constitutes SVSF’s principal activity, and was first implemented under the auspices of SELVA-NL former President Lourens de Groot in 2010.

Indigenous mortality rates in the Amazon region mirror the trajectory of the development process, both temporally and in terms of statistical impact. SVSF research has meticulously documented a significant decline in the Secoya and Siona populations since 1985, with reductions reaching approximately 73% and 60%, respectively. However, the plight of the Cofanes stands out as particularly distressing. They have endured the harrowing consequences of genocide, forced displacement from their ancestral lands, and the devastating effects of diseases such as influenza, measles, and smallpox.
Prior to 1970, when G. Quenama was Governor/Shaman, the total Cofan population in the Aguarico region was estimated to be around 15,000 individuals. Today, a mere 700 survivors remain, representing a staggering decline of 95.4%. These stark figures underscore the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the systemic issues contributing to the alarming decline of indigenous communities in the Amazon.
Amidst the backdrop of alarmingly high mortality rates, our medical program is our flagship initiative. Within this context, Selva-Vida Sin Fronteras stands uniquely positioned to deliver critical and emergency medical assistance in the remote reaches of the Amazon, given several distinct attributes. At the heart of our operational capacity lie two rainforest reserves and operational bases, acknowledged by UNESCO as the Amazon for Peace initiative: the Aguarico and Aguas Negras Reserves.
The Aguarico Reserve has the essential infrastructure tailored to our medical mission. This includes a land-based medical clinic, outfitted to provide comprehensive care to those in need. In addition to medical facilities, the reserve features laboratories for diagnostic testing, versatile conference spaces for knowledge exchange and collaboration, and comfortable accommodation to house 20 individuals, including our team of doctors and nurses and a permanent staff of 5.
Furthermore, our operational base also includes storage facilities to house medical supplies and equipment, ensuring readiness for rapid response in emergencies and a the dock for fluvial ambulances, enabling swift and efficient transportation along the waterways, which serve as lifelines connecting isolated communities to critical medical care.
Presently, the primary focus is combating and eradicating parasitic infections, a pervasive condition with a troubling prevalence of sepsis, challenging immune resilience and causing multi-organ damage. Significant strides have also been made in addressing malaria, one of the deadliest parasitic diseases.
Encouragingly, our medical team has made positive inroads. Four areas – Pisuri, San Victoriano, San Pablo, and Sinangoe – are now considered to be free from parasitosis. However, it is evident
that further efforts are required to sustain these gains.
The second imperative is to prioritize both prenatal and postnatal care, with a specific emphasis on treating children under the age of five and ten.
Since 2018, SVSF Medical Services has provided annual care to approximately 5,000 patients, with 70% under the ages of five and ten. This care is delivered through a combination of medical attention at SELVA's land-based clinic and fluvial medical services, enabled by our fleet of three river ambulances that reach isolated communities.
Our medical program also incorporates an educational component. SELVA offers scholarships to individuals interested in pursuing careers as nurses and paramedics, with a commitment to serving and empowering their communities. To date, four nurses and two paramedics have successfully graduated from this specialized program and are actively engaged in our clinics, contributing to the holistic healthcare delivery in our target regions.







FOOD RELIEF
Food relief plays a pivotal role in our holistic approach to healthcare, intertwining with our medical interventions to address the complex needs of vulnerable populations, especially those suffering from malnutrition. This assistance is particularly targeted towards children, whose developing bodies are highly susceptible to the detrimental effects of inadequate nourishment, and the elderly, who often face challenges in accessing nutritious meals.
In addition to our medical efforts, SVSF extends its reach through comprehensive emergency services, ensuring that individuals in crisis receive timely support and sustenance. These
services encompass a wide range of interventions, ranging from immediate nutritional assistance to strategic long-term initiatives aimed at fostering food security within communities. Through collaborative partnerships and targeted interventions, we strive to alleviate the burden of food insecurity and enhance the overall well-being of those we serve.





🌿 CELEBRATING 40 YEARS ON THE FRONTLINES OF THE AMAZON 🌿
"SELVA: WHISPER OF THE PINK DOLPHIN" – The Official Blog of SELVA-VIDA SIN FRONTERAS (SELVA)
To mark four decades of action in the Amazon Rainforest, our blog has been renamed "SELVA: WHISPER OF THE PINK DOLPHIN."
With operational bases deep inside the Ecuadorian Amazon -recognized by UNESCO as "Amazon Reserves for Peace"- and offices in Ecuador and The Netherlands, SELVA has spent 40 years defending the rainforest and its ancestral inhabitants.
Follow our journey, stay informed, and be part of the movement.
"I AM SELVA. WE ARE THE AMAZON"
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