Giving Compass' Take:

• Global Citizen's Catherine Caruso explains the compounded effects of amplified discrimination and health issues on Indigenous communities during the pandemic.

• How is the coronavirus creating deeper issues of marginalization towards vulnerable communities? What are you doing to create awareness towards Indigenous discrimination and combat its effects?

• Learn about where to direct your funding to support communities disproportionately affected by the virus.

Indigenous communities are being devastated by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic beyond the immediate threat to their lives, according to UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples José Francisco Cali Tzay.

COVID-19 is exacerbating the inequalities indigenous communities face daily, Tzay said in a statement on Monday. He expressed concerns for the rights, culture, and way of life of indigenous peoples around the world amid the pandemic.

Amid nationwide lockdowns and social distancing orders, indigenous peoples are being denied their basic human rights, including freedom of expression and association, Tzay continued.

Businesses are also reportedly taking advantage of stay-home orders to seize and destroy their lands and resources.

“Indigenous peoples who lose their lands and livelihoods are pushed further into poverty, higher rates of malnutrition, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, as well as exclusion from medical services, which in turn renders them particularly vulnerable to the disease,” he said.

Calling on countries to protect indigenous communities, Tzay encouraged governments around the world to create initiatives that ensure indigenous peoples are treated fairly and equally under the law.

Many indigenous communities do not have equal access to public health facilities and are often neglected by public services and government assistance.

Read the full article about indigenous communities during coronavirus by Catherine Caruso at Global Citizen.