FINASIM TRUSTEESHIP FOR THE HEALTH OF THE INDIGENOUS CHILDREN OF MEXICO

CCIODH 02/23/02 12 :00 PM San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Mexico

From the CCIODH

Ofelia Medina + Emiliana, Corinne, Noemi, Erica, Manuel, Estrella, Andrea, Petul, Jorge, Luis

FINASIM was created in 1990 because of the problem with malnutrition, which causes the death of 40,000 children each year, according to official figures. FINASIM believes that the number is more like 50,000.

President Salinas de Gortari thought that it was a problem of vaccinations. Only 300,000 vaccinations have been given to the more than 5 million children who require them, since many have not even been recorded.

In 1990 an evaluation was done on the status of child health in the communities. The results were communicated to officials. The Mexican government responded that 95% of the population had sufficient medical coverage. Officials have been concealing the fact that there is almost no medical coverage in the indigenous communities.

Chronic malnutrition can be measured by weight and height, which are extremely inadequate. In some parts of the states of Chiapas, Guerrero and Veracruz, 0% of the population fall within normal weight and height. Ten percent of the population is suffering from extreme malnutrition. In addition, women do not have regular menstrual cycles because of this malnutrition, and they are not able to take the necessary measures when they become pregnant. There is a delay of several months. It is quite common to see one-year old children weighing less than 7 kg. There are 30 million families out of every 100 million who are living in a state of extreme poverty, with less than one dollar per day per family.

FINASIM developed a health program for the displaced populations of Chenalhó. Two women who had been trained by a dietician work with pregnant women and children. Kitchens have been built in the communities which deliver one meal per day, adding 30 grams per day as a food supplement, which offsets and balances the food being distributed by the Red Cross.

In 1998, the CICR (International Committee of the Red Cross) committed itself , through a contract with the Mexican government, to providing 80% of the needs of the displaced persons. As they have not fulfilled this 80% commitment, we are unaware of what agreement they are working under today. The needs are far from being met at the current time, due to a lack of sufficient protein in what is given, and an inexact evaluation of the displaced persons. They are only receiving 5 kg. of food per person per month : beans, sugar, salt, maize. Their diet should be improved, however, with one fruit and one vegetable per day and, in addition, tuna once a week.

Doctors of the World has a different vision, and it wants to adopt a program which is not approved by FINASIM, nor by the populations. Doctors of the World wants to distribute meat and eggs only to the children of the most ill. It is obvious that the mother of the family would distribute this ration to the entire family, which will not resolve the problem of malnutrition. Doctors of the World withdraws its aid when it verifies an improvement in health. In spite of everything, they must be credited with training excellent health promoters who, unfortunately, do not have any medical materials at their disposal, not even aspirin.

In another arena, the CICR does not take indigenous food customs into account. FINASIM has verified that the Red Cross, and perhaps Doctors of the World, wants to ignore the reality of the displaced communities. FINASIM particularly deplores the fact that these displaced communities are not being treated in the same manner as other populations, of countries such as the former Yugoslavia. This is considered to be a racist attitude against the indigenous peoples, and the government has been an accomplice to it.

FINASIM wishes that the representatives of the Red Cross would be present in these displaced communities for longer time periods, so that they themselves could become aware of the dramatic reality of these populations. The NGOs do not appear to believe in the populations’ willingness to return to their communities. FINASIM wishes that the CICR would not only accompany them on their return, but would help them for 6 months, the duration of one harvest cycle. FINASIM also accuses the CICR of wanting to sow transgenetic seeds.

In early February the displaced of Polhó were desperate because of the decrease in CICR aid. The indigenous felt that they were being treated as if they were ignorant, and they were dying of hunger. Vaccinating them accomplishes no purpose when there is no potable water, or not even any water to hydrate children who are suffering from intestinal illnesses.

FINASIM evaluated 10,000 persons, which is the number of displaced, 5000 of whom were in Polhó and 500 in Acteal. Note that the CICR is working with the zapatista displaced at the present time.

CCIODH : The CICR says that the children’s poor state of health is due, above everything else, to a lack of diversified food in the diet of young children, since the mothers are late to change their food, for traditional reasons.

O.M. : FINASIM believes that the children should have mother’s milk for six months, with a nutritional supplement of cereal and fruit, such as bananas. In any event, breastfeeding has to last for one year, since this milk is a complete food, and it also acts as a contraceptive at the same time. They’re opposed to powdered milk. Doctors of the World is proposing to suppress maternal milk after three months in order to avoid malnutrition in the mothers and to feed the children with formula from Nestle. According to FINASIM this will only create a dependency on this multinational.

CCIODH : Wouldn’t it be possible to file a complaint against those responsible for the children’s malnutrition, for crimes against public health ?

O.M. : Impossible, since here the concept of an attack against public health only means using and trafficking in drugs.

CCIODH : What do you think about the CICR’s presence in Chiapas ?

O.M. : Its presence is a positive thing, since it is, in itself, a recognition of the conflict.

CCIODH : How can a sufficient provision of protein be achieved ?

O.M. : FINASIM had asked permission from the Polhó authorities to plant amaranth, and they refused. Amaranth is the highest source of vegetable protein in existence. It was very common prior to the Spanish conquest, but it was prohibited as a satanic plant, because it was mixed with the blood of the sacrificed. Its leaves are rich in Vitamin A.

CCIODH : We understood quite well what you told us about the extremely dramatic situation of the displaced, and especially of the children. We are going to present our report in that regard. You spoke earlier about a problem with the company that President Fox directed some years ago. Can you clarify this issue ?

O.M. : Yes, it’s an extremely important problem. After the march of indigenous dignity last year, large Coca Cola ads suddenly went up in Chiapas, especially around many communities. Then Coca Cola set up an entire series of distributing half liters of Coca Cola with refrigerators. They stole water and electricity from the municipalities for that. Now this incredibly wide campaign is making many people start to spend money on buying Coca Cola. The price also went up by 2 to 3 pesos, and now Coca Cola is replacing a part of the food that is needed.