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 Published Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Indigenous
people design an
economic recovery plan for their territories By the A.M. Costa Rica staff With
the support of the United Nations, indigenous
experts are starting to design an Economic
Recovery Plan for their territories affected by
the covid-19 pandemic, announced the government.
The plan is a response to the damage caused by the closure of economic activities such as tourism, the sale of artisanal handcrafts and agricultural production. Experts will begin by identifying the consequences of covid-19 in these territories when taking into account community proposals. The result of these studies will be the basis for creating the post-covid-19 economic recovery plan. According to Alice Shackelford, United Nations representative in Costa Rica, the participation of indigenous communities in the development of the plan is essential to ensure that the process of economic recovery is carried out with full respect for their rights. The plan will focus on strengthening the traditional indigenous production system, as well as a tourism activity in those territories, said the government in its statement. According to the government, 8,000 food packages have been delivered during the pandemic in 24 indigenous territories of the country.  Indigenous Law approved in 1977, establishes the duty of the Government to assign the possession of the lands in the indigenous territory at the disposal of the communities as part of the National Plan for the Recovery of Indigenous Territories of Costa Rica. The objective of this plan is to regularize the possession of land in indigenous territories and to recover land that is in the possession or occupation of non-indigenous people. Furthermore, work is being done on solutions to indigenous peoples' demands for their rights to lands, territories and resources. According to the Rural Development Institute, plans have been developed in 16 of the 24 indigenous territories for the return of the land rights of the indigenous territories. Among the actions taken are: the analysis of property documents, installation of border signs in the territories, census of the indigenous population, measurements of lands, among others. Also, an $862,111 trust was created for the payment of compensation for 2020, the institute reported. Regarding security measures, the Ministry of Security has strengthened its police presence in recent months in those communities, the institute said. One of the important actions in the Térraba indigenous reserve is the signing of the database of the Bröran ethnic group, to identify belonging to the Bröran people. Regarding the health emergency caused by the covid-19 pandemic, information campaigns on prevention measures have been developed. The campaigns have been produced in the indigenous languages: Cabécar, Bribri, Ngäbe and Maleku. According to the authorities, only one case consisting of covid-19 has been registered in indigenous territory. Also, medical protection supplies have been provided to 6,165 indigenous families, the government said in its statement. -------------------------- What should the government take into account when developing an economic recovery plan for all types of businesses in the country? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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