Collaborating with Earth Guardians Fund 2025: Amplifying Indigenous wisdom to combat climate change effects and speed up recovery from natural disasters

In various parts of the world, indigenous communities are taking bold steps to address the challenges posed by climate change and food scarcity. Here are some inspiring initiatives recently undertaken by these communities.

Mexico

The San Isidro Metlatónoc Community and San Lucas Community have proposed innovative solutions to combat food scarcity. Both communities aim to purchase corn for affected families, with the former also planning a medical awareness and attention campaign for common intestinal conditions. The Comisariado de Bienes Comunales de Tilapa and the Llano de Heno Community have also taken similar steps to mitigate food scarcity in their respective regions.

Ecuador

The Kañari Irrigation Board is working on the "Sumak Kawsay: Agua para Nuestros Retoños" project. This project aims to sustain family economies, educate children about water rights and responsibilities, reforest water sources, and strengthen community solidarity. The objective of this project is to implement an autonomous irrigation system in the Kañari communities.

Peru

The regional network in Cusco is composed of Quechua communicators who aim to valorize ancestral knowledge to adopt climate change adaptation measures.

Colombia

An inter-community meeting will be organized as part of the project in Resguardo Wasapana Dagua. This project aims to improve the roofs of three communities' dwellings in the Vichada province. The project also includes material purchase and transportation, as well as construction work.

Nepal

Nepal Tamang Women Ghedung and Liga de Mujeres Indígenas de Nepal have been active in providing aid to communities affected by floods. Nepal Tamang Women Ghedung distributed zinc sheets for water purification, while Liga de Mujeres Indígenas de Nepal benefited 29 families by providing cereals, clothing, temporary shelter, and crop and vegetable seeds for the next season. Sociedad de Mujeres Sunuwar also provided basic food and hygiene items, as well as direct support to a family that lost a member in the disaster.

India

The AAF, an organization representing the Indigenous Mukkuvar community on the coast in Trivandrum district, is promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting Mukkuvar's customary rights to ocean and marine resources through their "Oceanic Arts" project.

Global

In October 2024, KOEF partners in Nepal and Mexico were affected by heavy rains that caused flooding, landslides, crop loss, house collapses, and communication lines being cut off. Our fund provided small emergency support to partners in Kathmandu, Nepal and the state of Guerrero, Mexico for basic aid such as food, emergency shelter, or medicine.

These initiatives demonstrate the resilience and determination of indigenous communities in the face of adversity. Their efforts serve as a reminder of the importance of community-led solutions and the need for continued support in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and food scarcity.

Collaborating with Earth Guardians Fund 2025: Amplifying Indigenous wisdom to combat climate change effects and speed up recovery from natural disasters