The Caring Family Foundation, in partnership with AMDAF, has launched a groundbreaking initiative in the Amazon to provide essential healthcare to Indigenous communities. The medical bus offers specialized services such as gynaecology, paediatrics, cardiology, and ophthalmology, catering to the unique needs of these remote populations.
Since the beginning of the year, the mobile health unit has treated over 38,000 Indigenous individuals living deep within the Amazon rainforest, covering an area of 1.7 million hectares. The impact of this initiative was highlighted in March 2025 when the Nukini community faced respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Thanks to timely intervention, not a single life was lost, underscoring the critical importance of access to healthcare in these underserved regions.
In addition to healthcare, economic independence is a key focus for the foundation. Many Indigenous communities in the Amazon are facing economic challenges, leading to pressures to engage in activities like logging, mining, and agriculture that harm both the environment and human well-being. Organizations like Ecoporé and SOS Amazonia, with support from The Caring Family Foundation, are working on innovative bioeconomy projects to help Indigenous communities build sustainable businesses that are rooted in biodiversity.
One such success story is the partnership between the foundation and Ecoporé’s Regenera Project in Rondônia. Through this collaboration, young Indigenous entrepreneur Celesty Suruà has been able to scale Sarikab Coffee, leveraging her community’s knowledge of agroforestry systems to create a sustainable source of income. By equipping Sarikab Coffee with the necessary tools for production and distribution, the project is empowering local Indigenous groups to achieve economic autonomy while preserving the forest.
Despite these efforts, the Amazon continues to face significant threats from deforestation and climate change. In May 2025 alone, the region lost 960 km² of forest cover, representing a 92% increase in deforestation compared to the previous year. The urgency to protect the Amazon and support Indigenous communities has never been greater, as the region’s role as a carbon sink is being compromised.
As world leaders convene for COP30 in Brazil, there is a historic opportunity to shift course and prioritize the protection of the Amazon and its peoples. By committing to legal protection of land rights, investments in healthcare, financing for bioeconomy growth, and direct funding mechanisms for Indigenous communities, we can ensure that these vital ecosystems are preserved for future generations.
In conclusion, it is essential to recognize and uplift the leadership of Indigenous peoples in safeguarding the Amazon. They are not passive victims but proactive stewards of the land, whose knowledge and resilience are crucial for global climate stability. By working in partnership with Indigenous communities, we can protect the planet and secure a sustainable future for all.
