Brazilian Amazon mayor pleads for world help on COVID-19

Rio de Janiero: The mayor of Manaus, the biggest city in the Amazon rainforest region, asked world leaders Tuesday for help fighting the novel coronavirus, which has brought his city's health system to the brink of collapse.

Witoto indigenous nursing assistant Vanda Ortega leaves a patient's house after a healthcare visit in the Parque das Tribos, an indigenous community in the suburbs of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil

Manaus is the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, which has been devastated by the pandemic. Mayor Arthur Virgilio sent video messages and letters pleading for funds and medical equipment to 21 world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

"He emphasized the Amazon region's historic role in preserving the world's largest tropical rainforest," his office said in a statement.

With only one intensive care unit to serve a state more than four times the area of Germany, Manaus has been overwhelmed by the outbreak, leaving hospitals to store cadavers in refrigerator trucks. | Witoto indigenous nursing assistant Vanda Ortega leaves a patient's house after a healthcare visit in the Parque das Tribos

Amazonas state has registered 649 deaths from COVID-19 so far. "For decades, we have played an important role for the health of the planet, keeping 96 percent of our original forest," Virgilio said in his video to Macron, speaking in French. | Satere-mawe indigenous men use a smartphone to contact a doctor in Sao Paulo.

"Now, in return, we need medical personnel, ventilators, protective equipment, anything that can save the lives of those who protect the great forest." | The Brazilian state of Amazonas, home to most of the country's indigenous people, is one of the regions worst affected by the pandemic, with more than 500 deaths to date according to the health ministry.

Virgilio issued a similar appeal Saturday to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, asking her to use her influence to help his city deal with the pandemic. He has also given several tearful TV interviews since the start of the crisis. | Witoto indigenous nursing assistant Vanda Ortega takes care of a patient.

Though not densely populated, the Amazon region is home to indigenous groups particularly vulnerable to outside diseases and has limited public health infrastructure. | Witoto indigenous nursing assistant Vanda Ortega takes care of a patient during a healthcare visit in the Parque das Tribos.

Brazil is the Latin American country hit hardest by the pandemic, with 7,921 deaths so far. | Witoto indigenous nursing assistant Vanda Ortega goes from house to house equipped with gloves, a protective gown and a mask in which one can read: "The Life of Indigenous People Matters", a message inspired by the slogan "Black Lives Matter" of black militants in the United States.