"The second wave of COVID-19 is advancing quickly across the Amazon. It's affecting our youth and children. They are our future. We need to protect our future!"

The COVID-19 emergency in the Amazon is escalating dramatically. A new strain of the virus has overwhelmed and debilitated the public health system in Manaus, the capital of the state of Amazonas in Brazil, and it is spreading quickly across the Amazon, threatening Indigenous and forest peoples protecting the rainforest and the climate for our collective future.

Over the last few weeks, Indigenous Amazonian leaders once again have expressed deep concern and outrage at government negligence and discrimination against Indigenous peoples as the virus continues to spread. While vaccine plans are underway in Amazonian countries, they do not prioritize Indigenous peoples.

Amazon Watch is responding to the Indigenous health emergency in several ways. As a founding member of the Amazon Emergency Fund, we are working closely with allies to amplify the calls of Indigenous peoples and raise crucial funds. We are also prioritizing food and economic sovereignty projects led by women.