By Ruane Santos and Helena L’acosta
Brasília (DF) – This year, the Armed Forces have delivered around 5,000 food baskets to Yanomami communities in the north of the country. The action has taken place on an emergency basis since the publication of Ordinance GM-MD No. 263, published on January 18, which determined the activation of the Catrimani Joint Command to coordinate efforts to distribute 15,000 baskets by March 31. The operation involves 12 aircraft from the Navy, Army and Air Force.
All the cargo is being transported by air by the military. The National Supply Company (Conab) provides the food in Boa Vista (RR), and agents from the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai) deliver it to the isolated communities in the Yanomami Indigenous Land (TIY), including Surucucu, Xiothei, Cereano, Arasik, Hewetheu, Arakassá and Toxahipi. The Armed Forces are responsible for transporting the food baskets to the distribution points.
So far, the operation coordinated by the Ministry of Defense (MD) has logged around 735 flight hours. The operation involves 12 aircraft from the Navy, Army and Air Force, including 2 C-105s and 4 C-98 Caravans, as well as 5 helicopters (1 UH-15 Super Cougar, 3 Pantera HM-4s and 1 H-60 Black Hawk). The food will be transported by the Armed Forces until a specific contract is signed between the Federal Government and the private sector, which is expected to happen by the end of the operation.
Task Force
Since January 2023, the Ministry of Defense has been part of the federal government’s task force to protect the indigenous people, as well as taking action to combat cross-border crimes and illegal mining in the region. During this period, the Armed Forces deployed around 1,400 military personnel; carried out 3,029 medical services and 205 aeromedical evacuations; and delivered 36,600 food baskets to the Yanomami. The total number of food baskets delivered by the Federal Government is 58,400, 47,100 in Roraima and 11,500 in Amazonas.
The Forces also deployed 17 aircraft, 14 boats, 38 vehicles, 5 armored speedboats and 2 ships. The military aircraft’s aerial effort totaled around 7,400 flight hours, which is equivalent to more than 40 laps around the Earth or two trips to and from the moon.
Photos: publicity – Special Press Office (Ascom) – Ministry of Defense (61) 3312-4071
Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team