At COP 30, IFRC and The Nature Conservancy present 10-year commitment to resilience and adaptation in the Amazon

(This story is an IFRC press release issued jointly yesterday in Belem, Panama City and Geneva.)  

By the IFRC

The IFRC and The Nature Conservancy (TNS) yesterday unveiled the Alliance for the Amazon’s ten-year programme (2025–2035) focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience through the deployment of Nature-based Solutions across the Amazon rainforest.

During a joint event at COP 30 in Brazil, the two organizations issued a call to raise the first 10 million Swiss francs (US$ 12m) to launch the initial phase of this programme, which aims to strengthen the resilience of Amazonian communities threatened by wildfires, droughts, floods, extreme temperatures, socioeconomic complexities, and displacement – combining humanitarian action and environmental science to protect both people and nature.

Created nearly a year ago, the Alliance for the Amazon is a long-term, collective effort that brings together communities, indigenous peoples, governments, and organizations committed to safeguarding the Amazon.

Convened by the IFRC as a network rooted in local presence and regional leadership, the Alliance unites knowledge, resources, and partnerships to build a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive Amazon, especially fostering partnerships between humanitarian, environmental, and development sectors

‘We are mobilizing to protect communities facing wildfires, droughts, floods,
climate displacement’

Over the past year, the IFRC has led a series of Amazonian knowledge system dialogues in Bolivia and (pictured) Colombia, gathering hundreds of community leaders, scientists, and Red Cross teams to co-design locally led solutions.

These dialogues, along with joint analyses carried out with expert organizations such as TNC have informed a new regional programme framework and pilot projects focused on ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and community health.

”The Alliance for the Amazon embodies the Red Cross spirit of humanity, trust and localization,” said Loyce Pace, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas. “Together with partners, we are mobilizing to protect communities facing wildfires, droughts, floods, and climate displacement. Our goal is not only to anticipate and respond to disasters and health crises but also to help people thrive amid a changing climate.”

The Alliance for the Amazon is structured around three strategic pillars that guide its long-term action and embed locally led adaptation.

The first focuses on risk management and anticipatory climate action, emphasizing local preparedness, inclusive local governance, and effective early warning systems. The second centres on sustainable and resilient livelihoods, supporting nature-based solutions, green economies, and food sovereignty. The third pillar promotes integral health and community well-being, connecting physical, mental, and spiritual health with environmental stewardship.

‘The Alliance helps Amazon communities thrive while protecting the biodiversity and climate systems we all depend on’

“This partnership brings the best of humanitarian and developmental action together with environmental science to support those who safeguard the Amazon every day,” said Clare Shakya, TNC’s Global Climate Managing Director. “By restoring ecosystems, strengthening community leadership, investing in nature-based solutions, and addressing structural inequities in adaptation finance systems, the Alliance can support Amazon communities adapt and thrive, while protecting its biodiversity, and the climate systems we all depend on.” 

Organizations, governments, corporations, and indigenous peoples and communities interested in contributing to this initiative are invited to join the Alliance and collaborate in advancing climate resilience and humanitarian and developmental action across the Amazon.

With the active participation of National Societies across the nine Amazonian countries, in partnership with TNC and other actors working in key areas of the basin, the Alliance seeks to reach 4 million people over the next decade.

Its approach centres on local leadership, intercultural dialogue, and long-term partnerships – key ingredients for addressing one of the most complex humanitarian and environmental challenges of our time.

A knowledge dialogue underway in Leticia, the capital city of Colombia’s Amazonas department, where the local branch of the Colombian Red Cross met people from the Tikuna, Matapi, Huitoto, Yagua-Cocama, Yacuna, Ocaina, Misak, Yarupari, Inga, and Maruta communities, government agencies, and others. (Photo: Colombian Red Cross via IFRC)