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© Salomé/Survival |
Forty-two children from the isolated Jarawa tribe of the Andaman
Islands have been hit by disease in the last three weeks, in an
epidemic which could wipe them out. The figure represents 16 percent of
the tribe's total population of 270.
Survival received reports last week that seven Jarawa children were in
hospital with measles. The local authorities have since denied any
recent outbreak of measles among the Jarawa, and have said that several
had been suffering from heat rash'. When 108 Jarawa contracted measles
in 1999, the same authorities denied that the Jarawa had had measles,
but were forced to concede several weeks later following the testimony
of doctors on the islands.
A reliable source informed Survival today that 17 Jarawa children are
currently in G B Pant Hospital in the town of Port Blair, in a ward
guarded by police. The children are reported to be suffering from
various diseases including pneumonia and eye problems – both common
after-effects of measles. Twenty-five others were admitted to the
hospital on 22 April, and were taken back to their forest several days
later.
Many tribal peoples have been destroyed by measles. In the 19th
century, it wiped out at least half of the Great Andamanese on one
island and all those on another island. That tribe, once 5,000 strong,
now numbers only 41 people.
Indian settlers invading their land increasingly threaten the Jarawa's
survival. As well as bringing previously unknown diseases, the settlers
poach the game the Jarawa depend on, and there has been sexual abuse of
Jarawa women. In 2002, the supreme court ordered the closure of the
road that cuts illegally through the Jarawa forest, but the authorities
have defied this, not only keeping the road open but actually widening
it. Survival has repeatedly warned that this puts the Jarawa at grave
risk of potentially fatal diseases.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, By failing to abide by
its own laws protecting the Jarawa, India risks wiping this unique
tribe out forever. The road must be closed and land invasion and
poaching stopped, before it is too late.'
To write a letter to the Indian authorities click here
Photos and footage available. For more information call Miriam Ross on
(+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email mr@survival-international.org
