The Amazon dried up: helping the river dwellers to access water
March 07 2025
The Amazon looks like a stable humid environment with a uniform climate for the inexperienced. However, in fact, it is generally defined as having two marked seasons: the rainy and the dry seasons. Climate change, however, has potentially been disrupting the natural levels of flooding and droughts.
In July 2021, we wrote about massive and destructive floods that damaged schools along the Jauaperi River. Today we write about droughts (and wildfires). October 2023 was the first hit: the world was astonished by the news that some of the largest rivers in the Amazon were drying up. Hundreds of riverine communities and towns were cut off without access to water and basic supplies for many months, and bodies of dead river dolphins and hundreds of fish surfaced, killed by the near-boiling water temperatures. For some locals, it felt like a presage of some doomsday.
The communities along the Jauaperi River were also surprised by this unprecedented drought, and due to the remoteness of many villages, ACT had to step forward and prioritize helping the communities to survive. Together with the alliance Conselho do Mosaico do Baixo Rio Negro - a local council composed mainly of charitable Brazilian organisations focused on the strengthening of Protected Areas - and other local associations, ACT, together with Amazonia Milano (Italy), contributed to the fund for the purchase of basic supplies kits and restore local infrastructure (e.g. boats and houses) by rapidly crafting a fundraising campaign in 2023.
In 2024, we were already alert to the potential of a new drought crisis, so we planned ahead to be able to continue delivering the projects and supporting the river-dwellers. This time, it was even more dramatic. The Negro River, one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon, dropped to an astonishing 12.66m in October 2024, surpassing the previous year’s minimum of 13m, and shocking for a river that can reach depths of up to 60m.
In response to this and with the support of the Souter Charitable Trust, ACT is providing immediate assistance to affected communities. This donation is funding the purchase of water filters and materials to improve water catchment systems and ensure access to water. Furthermore, it will support the purchase of firefighting equipment and training programs to prepare villagers to combat wildfires in emergencies.
ACT delivered hoses, water filters, and pumps to eight communities in most need, including Floresta, São Francisco do Castanhal, Maracacá, Tanauaú, Palestina, Bela Vista, Gaspar, and São Pedro, all of which are located inside the Extractive Reserve. This operation was only possible thanks to our partners, the local cooperative CoopXixuaú, who helped us plan, buy, and deliver the water kits to each community.
Climate extreme fluctuation and unpredictability are likely to become part of the Amazonian people's routine in the next few years. The Amazon Charitable Trust will continue supporting the local communities facing this new scenario, which would not be possible without the support from the Souter Charitable Trust, the CoopXixuaú, and all local leaders and partners.
