Lula: Yanomami people face 'inhumane' situation

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited Brazil's northern state of Roraima on Saturday after the government declared a public health emergency for the Yanomami people in the Amazon, who are suffering from malnutrition and diseases such as malaria as a consequence of illegal mining.

Lula described the situation of the Yanomami people as “inhumane”. He said the immediate measures to be taken by the government are improvement in transportation and the employment of more doctors and nurses to work in the region.The decree signed by Health Minister Nisia Trindade late Friday has no expiration date and allows for hiring extra personnel.

It determines that the team in charge has to publish reports regarding the Indigenous group’s health and general well-being.The Yanomami are the largest native group in Brazil, with a population of around 30,000 that lives in the northern area of the Amazon rainforest.