disaster that took place in the Saramacca region recently. If the government fails to act, the OIS will consider taking the matter to regional and international organizations for human rights and environment. In an open letter to President Jennifer Simons the OIS emphasized that the government’s response has so far been insufficiently visible, uncoordinated and ineffective. The OIS claimed that there is a lack of a structural approach to support the Indigenous communities that have been hit hard by the serious humanitarian situation as a result of the mass fish deaths. It also claimed that essential aid in the form of clean water, food and other basic necessities were not provided on time although the government was aware of the magnitude of the problem. As a result of this the villagers are under the impression that they do not get the same treatment as their fellow citizens. The OIS emphasized the huge impact that the environmental disaster has had on the local economy. The pollution of the river has paralyzed the local fishing sector which means that many families have lost their main source of food and income. The OIS pointed out that the Simons administration must make an inventory of all of the financial losses before presenting a suitable compensation plan to the affected households. It also criticized the minister of Natural Resources and the minister of Oil and Gas for failing to visit the region to assess the situation personally. “Both ministers should have gone to the area to talk to the local communities. A crisis of this magnitude requires visible leadership,” said the OIS, which urged the head of state to accept the political responsibility for the delay in an effective response. The OIS also urged the president to review the position of both ministers and to possibly let them face the music for their failure to take appropriate steps.