The Amazon and its tributaries are suffering from the worst drought in at least 120 years. Climate change, El Niño and deforestation are causing catastrophic conditions - affecting people, animals and plants.

The Amazon basin lacks what it used to have in abundance: water. The world's most water-rich region is currently experiencing the worst drought since records began over 120 years ago. The consequences for the people, the regional economy and the flora and fauna in South America are serious. Experts are alarmed. There is no sign of the situation easing.

The water levels of some of the most important rivers have recently fallen to an unprecedented extent. The consequences: Supply problems and dead animals. "There are hundreds of thousands of people in the states who are now suffering from this drought." The Brazilian Amazon region stretches across nine federal states and is the size of Western Europe in terms of area. It is home to a breathtaking variety of plants and animals. It is estimated that a fifth of the world's fresh water flows through the world's largest and most complex network of river courses.

The population on the riverbanks in particular is suffering. Many of them can normally only get around on the rivers by boat. Due to the low water levels, numerous boats have run aground, making it increasingly difficult to supply the communities with water, food and medicine. The government in the state of Amazonas declared a state of emergency for all 62 districts. Almost 600,000 people are affected. "My husband went fishing and came back without anything because there were no fish." The world's largest rainforest - home to ten per cent of all species on the planet - has already been under threat for decades: due to droughts, river pollution, fires and deforestation. Deforestation has decreased since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office at the beginning of the year. But Brazil is still a long way from its declared goal of "zero deforestation".

The interplay of climate change, El Niño and increasing deforestation is leading to a negative spiral of ever worsening droughts and fires, says Edegar de Oliveira from WWF. Greenpeace expert Batista adds: "We know that those who suffer the most from the climate crisis are precisely those who have caused the least global warming."

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