Who Really Benefits From Hydropower?

Centering communities in the debate on large-scale dams and development finance By Genny Ngende, Africa Program Senior Campaign Coordinator As part of our multi-layered advocacy strategy to expose the environmental and human rights impacts of large-scale hydropower projects, International Rivers recently engaged with international financial institutions at two major global forums: the Finance in Common…

Press Release | World Bank Approves Controversial Inga 3 Dam in DRC Despite Steep Human and Environmental Cost

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2025 MEDIA CONTACTS: Siziwe Mota, Africa Program Director of International Rivers, smota@internationalrivers.org,  +27 608351354 Emmanuel Musuyu, Executive Secretary, CORAP, emmamus023@gmail.com  +243 81169 7699 WASHINGTON, DC – The World Bank today approved an initial $250 million in financing for the first phase of the Inga 3 hydropower project in the Democratic Republic…

From Silenced Rivers to Rights of Rivers:

International Rivers celebrates 40 years of defending rivers and community rights.     Inspired by the wisdom and dedication of river protectors in the Global South, in 1985, a small but mighty group of activists united around a shared vision to develop a worldwide network to protect rivers and promote just and sustainable energy options. Aware…

DRC Delegation Addresses the Green Hydrogen Hype in Europe

Introduction In September, International Rivers accompanied civil society partners and community leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to meet with European policymakers and civil society organizations, to discuss Germany and the EU’s green hydrogen development and extraction plans concerning the DRC, including raising concerns for potential investment in the planned Grand Inga…

Press Release | COP27: Groups warn of severe climate and human rights risk of new hydropower dams and schemes

Dams and hydropower schemes create major loss and damage, including producing significant amounts of methane, biodiversity loss, and community displacement. In a warming world, droughts and flooding make hydropower an unreliable energy choice and an increasing danger to downstream communities. An urgent shift away from false solutions that harm people and ecosystems is essential. For…

Women & Rivers Accelerator

Calling All Women River Defenders in Africa and Asia… who are protecting our water, communities, and ecosystems from environmental and climate threats. Join a powerful and diverse cohort of leaders who are ready to accelerate their impact and deepen their work to protect our world’s rivers. The world is calling you to expand your leadership!…