Protecting rivers and defending the rights of the communities that depend on them

2023 Annual Report Cover

2023 Annual Report

With immense gratitude, International Rivers is proud to share our 2023 Annual Report and celebrate what supporters like you made possible.

From defending the free-flowing Salween River to leading the call for permanent river protections in Brazil and globally to accelerating women’s leadership roles in water governance, and more, this work is made possible because of the support of our incredible donors, partners, and allies around the world.

Our Rivers, Our Water Future

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.

Our Approach

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.

Our Impact

0 Number of community groups, movements, and civil society organizations we have partnered with to provide campaign and advocacy support.
0 Destructive river projects delayed or stopped, resulting in millions of people retaining access to their traditional lands and livelihoods.
$ 0 B Funds (USD) channeled away from investment in destructive projects, toward sustainable and just alternatives.
Explore Our Priority Areas

Latest News

Historic Drought on the Tapajós River Devastates Riverine Communities in the Amazon

The Tapajós River, a lifeline in Brazil’s Amazon basin, has reached historically low levels this year amid an unprecedented drought. The urgent situation made the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA) declare a water scarcity emergency for the river’s lower stretch, from Itaituba to Santarém cities, marking the first time the agency has issued such…

Read More

Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission Raises Serious Concerns about Impacts of Mekong River Dams

By Rin Sohsai In early October, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) sent a letter to Thailand’s Prime Minister expressing serious concerns about the plans for four more hydropower projects to be built on the mainstream of the Mekong River near the Thai-Lao territorial border— namely, the Sanakham, Pak Chom, Ban Kum and…

Read More