The impact of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities: Insights from the Indigenous Navigator

On the basis of a collaborative, community-led data-gathering effort and testimonies from indigenous communities, this report provides first-hand information on the situation of indigenous peoples in 11 countries where communities have participated in the Indigenous Navigator initiative. It highlights the differentiated impact that COVID-19 is having on indigenous peoples, which also varies from community to community.

On the one hand, the report identifies how pre-existing barriers in access to health, social security and education are fuelling disproportional impacts of the pandemic on indigenous peoples. It also indicates a rise in food insecurity, related to loss of livelihoods and lack of access to land and natural resources. On the other hand, it underlines the central role played by communities in building the response and recovery to the global crisis resulting from the pandemic.

The analysis and recommendations presented in this report seek to contribute to the design of COVID-19 response and recovery measures that are respectful of the rights of indigenous peoples and support their livelihoods, economies and resilience.