The Impact of COVID-19 on the Indigenous Peoples of the Region of the Americas: Perspectives and Opportunities. Report on the High-Level Regional Meeting, 30 October 2020

Abstract

In order to continue creating opportunities for dialogue and implementing the universal health agenda in the COVID-19 response in indigenous populations, PAHO organized a high-level meeting on 30 October 2020 to move forward in drafting a road map to strengthen the COVID-19 response, highlighting the priorities, needs, and proposals raised by the indigenous populations, with an intercultural approach and in coordination with the indigenous peoples of the Region. This report summarizes the main perspectives and opportunities recognized during the high-level meeting, both by the indigenous leaders themselves and by representatives of some ministries of health of the Region. The issues identified are widely applicable to all of the indigenous populations; however, due to their important contextual and cultural differences, they should be considered using differentiated approaches, based on the special economic, social, political, and environmental features of each population.