Our work in Chiapas and Central America
Connecting Communities in the Struggle for Social and Economic Justice
The Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO)/Pastors for Peace organizes humanitarian aid caravans to Chiapas and Central America in support of communities and non-governmental organizations that are working for peace with justice and dignity.
En route to delivering urgently needed material aid, the caravans travel through cities throughout the US to raise awareness about the effects of US foreign policy and internal Mexican policy on the indigenous people of Mexico. The caravan demonstrates a people-to-people foreign policy which aims to support self-determination and sustainable development. This policy serves as an example to our own government, which historically has supported policies that discourage or actively suppress grassroots movements for progressive social change in Mexico.
In February 1995, IFCO/Pastors for Peace began this program of support for the indigenous struggle for land, liberty and democracy in the southern state of Chiapas. Caravans to Chiapas provide emergency relief aid for over 20,000 indigenous people who are enduring a protracted military presence in their communities. The caravans also increase the international presence in Chiapas, which helps to dissuade Mexican soldiers and privately funded paramilitary groups from committing human rights abuses against indigenous people in the region. Indigenous people throughout the zones of conflict are enduring a food shortage of near-famine proportion, which is already causing a sharp increase in health problems in the region.
What you can do
- Join the caravan or send a representative from your organization
- Organize an educational event in your community to receive the caravan
- Outreach to local community groups and schools
- Obtain media coverage of the events and your organization's participation
- Collect humanitarian aid and/or sponsor a vehicle to be donated to Chiapas
Typical caravan schedule
February 26 - March 6 - US/Canada routes
March 7 - 9 - Orientation
March 10 - Border Crossing
March 14 - Arrive in Chiapas, Mexico
March 14 - 24 - Program in Chiapas
March 27 - Arrive back in US
Why you should come with us
- Stand in solidarity with the people of Chiapas
- Learn firsthand about the indigenous peoples' struggle for land, liberty and democracy
- Meet thousands of activists throughout the US, Canada and Mexico who are working for global justice
- Be inspired by the strength and courage of the indigenous peoples' movement
- Be a part of a People-to-People Foreign Policy for social and economic justice
JOIN US!! If you are interested in hosting a Chiapas and Central America caravan, or you would like to travel with us please contact us >
