Survival International fights year round to protect tribal people around the world. The advocacy group has just launched a new campaign with the help of Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth in order to save “earth’s most threatened tribe,” the Awa tribe from the Amazon in Brazil.
The AFP reports that the campaign hopes to persuade Brazilian Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo to clear out loggers, ranchers, and settlers who are threatening the safety of the Awa tribe.
Survival International says that people are invading the Awa’s territory and several tribe members have already been killed.
Firth says in the video:
“The Awa’s forest is being illegally cut for timber. When the loggers see them, they kill them. Their bows and arrows are no match for guns. And at any other time in history, that’s where it would end. Another people wiped off the face of the earth, forever. But we’re going to make sure the world doesn’t let that happen.”
Survival International’s Director Stephen Corry added:
“If enough people, in Brazil and around the world, show they care, Awa children will be able to grow up in peace on their own land. That’s been proved over and over again.”
MSNBC reports that the Awa tribe depends on the forest for food, medicine, and supplies. Survival’s field director Fiona Watson, said:
“When you talk to the Awa, it’s just so clear how much the forest means to them. They just get everything from it… When the forest is destroyed, they either flee or they simply die.”
Here’s the video from Survival International about the Awa tribe.
