Pupak, one of the survivors, had gunshot wounds in his back. His people had been massacred after a road was built through their land, bringing waves of cattle ranchers and colonists. Evidence of killings was widespread. In one area, an entire communal house had been bulldozed and then covered with earth by ranchers in an attempt to hide their attack.

Traumatized by what they'd endured, the survivors' despondency when I met them was hardly surprising. Yet they still rose to give me a shuffling dance of welcome. It was truly heartbreaking.  

Last year Konibu, the group’s leader and shaman, passed away. Today just four Akuntsu survive. They are surrounded by hostile cattle ranchers and endless soya plantations. 

Tragically, it is too late for the Akuntsu: There simply is no way back for such a tiny group of survivors. They will soon join the long list of tribes made extinct by the genocide that has swept the Americas since Columbus first landed. But for every story like theirs, there are others that – thanks to you – are more encouraging. 

Awá communities are thriving once more thanks to our international campaign to evict loggers from their land. Recently-contacted sisters Jakarewyj and Amakaria survived tuberculosis and were able to return to their forest interior only because our lobbying led to them receiving emergency treatment.         

Today we’re calling on you - the global movement for tribal peoples' rights - to help us do more. With your donation we can lobby governments to map out uncontacted tribes’ land and protect their borders against invasions, encourage the UN and other international bodies to take a more urgent stand, and push companies to reject projects that will harm uncontacted tribes.

No amount is too small. Thank you for caring about the most vulnerable peoples on the planet.

Yours sincerely, 

Fiona Watson, Research and Field Director.