Photos: Guerreros de la Montaña
Solidarity for the peoples of the Mountain, Guerrero, Mexico
“The problem is serious and severe, particularly with the loss of crops and animals. In a few months it will become a famine. The situation presents a picture of the gravest nature due to a disaster,” said Antonio Arias to the Tribuno del Pueblo.
Arias refers to the situation faced by the Ñuu Savi, Nahua and Mephaa indigenous people of the mountain region of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. These communities were the victims of the storms Ingrid and Manuel in September of this year.
According to official statements, Manuel and Ingrid — storms that struck Mexico in September — affected 24 of the 31 states of Mexico. As a consequence, more than 58,000 were evacuated, with 43,000 staying in shelters. More than 800,000 lost power across the country.
Editorials and public comments declare the government has worsened the situation when natural disasters strike due to bad planning, lack of a prevention strategy and corruption. In the face of government neglect, people are mobilizing to help.
Due to the slow reaction of the Mexican government in assisting the victims, people in Mexico and the U.S. have mobilized to help. One example is the youth in the state of Guerrero who organized themselves into teams called Mountain Warriors. They collect and provide food directly to those affected. (# GuerrerosporlaMontaña # Tlacoapa # # Guerrero http://youtube/ZImwecUw3kQ Lagunaseca)
Another example is what Antonio Arias of Riverside is doing. He’s contacting everyone he knows to help out. As he says, “Weeks after the storms, whole communities still remain cut off and in a state of emergency.”
Also of key importance is the organization of the various indigenous peoples into the Mountain Communities Council. The Ñuu Savi, Nahua, and Phaa have organized a caravan to Mexico City to denounce the lack of clear answers to their demands regarding food, housing, crops, roads, health and education.
Arias asks the readers of the Tribuno del Pueblo to help the ” Warriors of the Mountain.” Go to Facebook and search for “Guerreros de la Montana.”
“Today for them tomorrow for us.”
