I have to begin with bad news. Survival’s president and one of its founders in 1969, Robin Hanbury-Tenison (83), is gravely ill in hospital with coronavirus. Many of you will have come across him over the years and may want to send him your wishes. If you have messages for him, please visit svlint.org/Robin to post them. We’ll do our best to ensure they reach him as soon as possible. Robin is otherwise extremely fit and getting the best care thanks to Britain’s (much-eroded) National Health Service. Our thoughts remain with him and his family.

I wrote to supporters a couple of weeks ago to say that Survival was well placed to forge on, with staff working from home in many countries, without physical contact with tribal people. Our carefully managed resources – all coming from supporters – are able to withstand whatever shocks the next months may bring. I am monitoring income and can assure you we’ll take sensible action to ensure Survival will emerge from this as strong as possible, however long it takes.

Personally, I hate the spate of notices from corporate CEOs telling us how much they’re there “for us.” Survival isn’t there for you! (Well, in a way it is as our battle is one for human diversity everywhere.) I have never seen Survival as just another NGO. We’ve always been tightly focused on figuring out how best to achieve our core objective – how to make the world a better place for tribal peoples. It sounds obvious but it’s rare, believe me, even among NGOs.

Survival has always been an agile and adaptable fighting force for tribal peoples and their rights, standing in solidarity and partnership with them in so many parts of the world for over 50 years. Our work continues. It couldn’t be more urgent as the assault on tribal peoples in Brazil, India, Colombia, and so many other places was already well underway before the epidemic. Millions are threatened and the danger grows daily.

As you know, Survival will never compromise on tribal peoples’ rights. We don’t do deals with the abusers. Our robust and undaunted approach has never been needed as much as it is now. As two weeks ago, I am not asking you for donations at this very difficult time. I am simply asking that, if you can, you continue to stand firm with tribal peoples and with us.

Follow us on social media and websites in our different languages (inc. French, German, Italian, Portuguese & Spanish). Learn more about our work. Ask us questions about anything you’re not sure about, and take action on our campaigns when you can.

You can contact me directly through my Twitter (@StephenCorrySvl) or by email ([email protected]). Anything you’re not sure about, do ask! Anything you want to tell me, please say so! I promise to read everything personally and will do my best to respond, albeit briefly, as quickly as I can (but it may take a while!).

Finally, a very big thank you to all who’ve stood with us, in many cases for many, many years. Without your support, Survival is nothing.

I do hope you’re well and stay well.