Toxic State

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO ENSURE THAT THE PERUVIAN STATE ADOPTS EMERGENCY MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE URGENT HEALTH NEEDS IN CUNINICO AND ESPINAR

Various Indigenous communities in the Amazon and Andes regions of Peru are experiencing health crises: they are exposed to and their only sources of water are contaminated with toxic metals, and the Peruvian State has not acted to address the situation.

Studies have demonstrated that the main water sources that these communities depend on are contaminated and that the residents of the communities are exposed to toxic metals and other chemical substances that are harmful to human health. Faced with these realities, the fact that the Peruvian State has failed to provide these communities with safe drinking water or with adequate healthcare constitutes a violation of their right to health.

CUNINICO

The Kukama Indigenous community of Cuninico (in the province of Loreto) is exposed to toxic metals, their main source of water is contaminated, and they are suffering severe health problems. However, the State is failing to attend to their health. Find out more about the health crisis in the community of Cuninico.

ESPINAR

Kana Indigenous communities in Espinar are exposed to toxic metals, their main sources of water are contaminated, and they are suffering severe health problems. However, the State is failing to attend to their health. Find out more about the health crisis in the communities in Espinar.

HEALTH PROBLEMS CAUSED BY TOXIC METALS

The Indigenous communities in Cuninico (department of Loreto) and Espinar (department of Cusco) are exposed to mercury, lead, arsenic, cadmium and other toxic metals. But the Peruvian State is failing to protect their health.

DAMAGE TO THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Motor dysfunction, loss of vision.

SKIN PROBLEMS

Dermatitis, lesions, rashes, hives and callouses.

CHRONIC DISEASES

Cancer, diabetes, hypertension, liver necrosis, renal impairment and failure, lung problems

DEATH

MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

Memory loss, insomnia and chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety.

DAMAGE TO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, colic.

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM PROBLEMS

Infertility, miscarriages.

HEAD, BONES AND MUSCLES

Headaches, cramps and muscle aches, weakening of muscles, fragility of bones.

“Stranges illneses are appearing, almost all of us are sick ... It wasn´t like this before”

Marleny Surco, Espinar

“I’m not a healthy woman anymore, I´m like an invalid. Now i even can´t lift a bucket of water”

Juana Rosa Otejón, Cuninico

“Why i would want to live and suffer like this? I would rather die

Melchora Surco, Espinar

“We are dying of hunger and thirst”

Flor de María Paraná, Cuninico