Restoring Free-Flowing Rivers
Since 1985, International Rivers has been at the heart of the global movement to ensure river-dependent communities’ voices are heard and their rights are respected.
Rivers are the arteries of the earth, supporting the highest rate of biodiversity compared to any other ecosystem and providing for the livelihoods of millions of local, indigenous and traditional peoples. Rivers are also under extreme threat, with less than 10% of the world’s river basins protected.
International Rivers strengthens movements of communities and civil society at the forefront of defending rivers by:
• Undertaking investigative research to generate robust data and evidence to inform policies and campaigns.
• Remaining independent and fearless in campaigning to expose and resist destructive projects.
• Developing a vision that protects rivers and the communities that depend upon them.
Introduction In April 2026, International Rivers facilitated a site visit to the Kunene Region in Namibia where the Namibian and Angolan governments are planning to construct the Baynes Hydropower Project on the Kunene River, as well as to locations expected to be submerged by the project’s water reservoir. The delegation was led by Namibia’s Ombudsman…
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“We do not just live near the river; we are of the river. To protect the water is to protect the health, heritage, and future of the Yamaye people.” Healthy, free-flowing rivers have always been critical for people and the planet. From providing fresh water and supporting biodiversity to regulating the climate and sustaining cultural…
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