Defiant Healthcare: Communal Pharmacies of Venezuela Dodge U.S. Sanctions' Impacts
Nestled amidst the rugged terrain of Waraira Repano mountain, the bustling community of Altos de Lidice is a testament to resilience and solidarity. In a country reeling from the harsh effects of US sanctions, these folks are gunning to provide basic necessities for their kin.
The sanctions, instated during Obama's reign and amplified under Trump, have sent shockwaves through Venezuela's economy, blocking it from global trade and selling oil—its primary export. The consequent economic disarray and surging inflation have forced millions to flee the country, leaving a trail of broken dreams behind.
Cars abandoned by the roadside are a common sight, as are failed water systems and empty pharmacy shelves. The scarcity of medicines and medical supplies has become a stark reality, with pharmacists reporting that almost half of their stock is unattainable due to the sanctions. For those who can afford what little is available, the prices are astronomical, rendering healthcare inaccessible for the majority.
In the face of such adversity, neighbors in Altos de Lidice have rallied together, establishing a community pharmacy as a lifeline for their fellow citizens. Medicine is sourced from various quarters - donations from abroad, anonymous individuals, and solidarity groups. Aid has arrived from far-flung locales like Australia, Brazil, Italy, and Chile.
The pharmacy boasts a health committee consisting of vigilant neighbors, who meet in their homesteads to manage the distribution of these precious supplies. A sign reading "Communal Pharmacy - Health for the Barrio" serves as the emblem of their collective resolve.
The medicine is dispensed without charge, primarily to those with a doctor's note from the local clinic. The clinic, too, is free, further underscoring the spirit of cooperation within this struggling community. Though a small service, it's proving to be a lifesaver for many battling to stay afloat in the stormy waters of the current crisis.
Altos de Lidice's story is one of resistance, proving that for a people bound by unity, even the mightiest sanctions can't crush their spirit.
This is the latest installment of Stories of Resistance, a collaborative project between The Real News and Global Exchange. Each week, we bring you tales of resilience and inspiration, shining beacons in these dark times.
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Written and produced by Michael Fox.
For more details on the community pharmacy at Altos de Lidice, head over to Michael's 2019 feature for The Real News - "Venezuelan Community Builds Solidarity Pharmacy to Counter US Sanctions."
Here is a report by the Washington-based Center for Economic and Policy Research, which delves into the thousands of deaths caused by US sanctions in Venezuela during this period - "Report Finds US Sanctions on Venezuela Are Responsible for Tens of Thousands of Deaths."
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Venezuelan editorial staff.
Sources: The Real News.
- Venuezuelans in Altos de Lidice, amidst the Waraira Repano mountain's rugged terrain, are organizing to provide basic necessities for their community, a response to the harsh economic effects of US sanctions.
- The sanctions, instituted during Obama's presidency and exaggerated under Trump, have created chaos in Venezuela's economy, restricting global trade and oil sales, its primary export.
- This economic upheaval and rampant inflation have driven millions of Venuezuelans to migrate, leaving a path of shattered dreams behind.
- The scarcity of medical supplies and medicines in the country has become a harsh reality, with pharmacists reporting that nearly half of their stock is unobtainable due to the sanctions, and those available are overpriced, making healthcare inaccessible for the majority.
- In the face of these adversities, neighbors in Altos de Lidice have banded together, creating a community pharmacy as a potential lifeline for their fellow citizens.
- This pharmacy procures medicine from distant locations such as Australia, Brazil, Italy, and Chile, and it operates a health committee made up of vigilant neighbors who manage the distribution of these essential supplies.
- The medicines are distributed free of charge, primarily to those with doctor's notes from the local clinic, and the clinic itself is also free, a symbol of the cooperation within this struggling community.
- Despite the challenges they face, the resilience and unity displayed by the people of Altos de Lidice serve as a testament to their indomitable spirit, standing tall amidst the overwhelming power of sanctions, war, conflicts, and politics.
- The ongoing stories of resilience and inspiration emerging from communities like Altos de Lidice prove that even in the face of adversity, a united people can weather political, economic, and social storms and rebuild to embrace health, wellness, and general news, in the face of crime, accidents, fires, and other challenges.
