Amazon Strategy: social, climate and economic justice
Our vision is to see an Amazon region where communities are the driving force behind sustainable development, challenging unjust systems to strive for social, climate and economic justice.
We envision an Amazon region where development is inclusive and respects the environment. With these conditions, we hope to see a place where indigenous, Quilombola and farming communities can thrive.
The Amazon is vital to life on Earth
Protecting the Amazon is now of global importance for the future sustainability of our shared planet.
The Amazon region covers an area larger than the size of the European Union and extends across nine countries. It is home to Quilombolas, farmers and almost 20 million indigenous inhabitants. Historically, these communities have recognised and respected the environmental importance of the region.
The Amazon is a hub of biodiversity, boasting more species of plants and animals than any other ecosystem on the planet. It is the largest hydrographic network in the world and a vital global climate regulator.
Today, the Amazon region faces a growing number of threats.
Predatory development models, extractive industries, state and private sector funded mega projects and agribusinesses all place it at great risk.
These threats often impact the communities that know it best, leading to environmental destruction, displacement and even violence.
The green heart of the Earth is mourning and the life it sustains is withering
Christian Aid in the Amazon
Christian Aid was one of the first international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) to work in the Amazon region.
We have worked with local partners and social movements for more than four decades, campaigning tirelessly for the land rights of vulnerable communities.
We have gained the trust of forest communities – unlike many others, who find it hard to build and maintain relationships in the region.
There are still relatively few INGOs in the Amazon region, and few with the years of experience and contextual knowledge that we have.
Christian Aid has offices in Bolivia and Brazil.