African Rivers

14/07/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

14 July, 2026

African Rivers Joins the Great People of Qatar in Mourning His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father Emir of the State of Qatar

With profound sorrow and deep respect, African Rivers, a nonprofit international organization dedicated to river health and environmental protection, extends heartfelt condolences to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, the noble Al Thani family, and the resilient and generous people of Qatar on the passing of the Former Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

We join the nation in mourning the loss of the Father Emir, who passed away on 12 July 2026 at the age of 74. His Highness led Qatar with wisdom and courage from 1995 until his historic abdication in 2013, when he entrusted the future of the nation to his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Sheikh Hamad will forever be remembered as a transformational leader whose vision lifted Qatar to new heights. As the "Father Emir," he guided the nation’s extraordinary liquefied natural gas expansion, securing prosperity for generations and establishing Qatar as a beacon of progress. His 18-year reign brought modern infrastructure, global prestige through the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and a powerful voice to the world with the founding of the Al Jazeera Media Network.

Yet his greatest legacy lies in his humanity. The Former Emir was a tireless bridge builder who championed dialogue, mediation, and humanitarian action. His dedication to peace in the Middle East and around the world brought hope where it was needed most. He believed in the dignity of all people and in a future shaped by cooperation, not conflict.

African Rivers honors Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani not only as a statesman, but as a source of inspiration. His belief in bold ideas, sustainable development, and shared prosperity continues to light the path for nations across the Global South, including Africa. The rivers we protect and the communities we serve have all benefited from a world made more connected by his leadership.

To the great people of Qatar: Your strength, unity, and grace in this moment reflect the values the Father Emir held dear. We stand with you in grief and in gratitude for his life. May his vision continue to inspire Qatar’s journey toward peace, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

We offer our prayers to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to every Qatari family. May the legacy of the Father Emir remain a guiding light for Qatar and for the world.

Issued by:
African Rivers
Communications Office
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +260952879001
Website: http://www.africanrivers.org
Facebook: African-Rivers

16/05/2026

https://omny.fm/shows/africa-hour/climate-change-is-reshaping-africa-s-freshwater-systems

Climate change is increasingly reshaping Africa’s freshwater systems, with rivers and lakes under growing pressure from rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts and extreme flooding. Across the continent, communities that depend on these water bodies for drinking water, agricultur...

30/04/2026

Natural Rivers of Rufunsa District

29th April, 2026

Rufunsa District, is endowed with beautiful natural rivers and other water bodies that support both the social and economic activities of the area, said Dr. Kelvin Kamayoyo, Technical Advisor.

Notably, the Rufunsa River shares its name with the district. On 27th April 2026, a team of experts from African Rivers, a nonprofit international organization, conducted a field visit to several rivers and streams in the district to assess their impact on local livelihoods and explore appropriate interventions for safeguarding their ecological health.

Simply put, natural rivers are flowing freshwater bodies that serve as essential lifelines for both economic and social sectors. Rivers and streams provide critical habitats for wildlife, supply clean water, and sustain aquatic populations.

Rufunsa District is home to several major rivers and streams that shape its geography and economy. The Luangwa River, Lower Zambezi River, and Lunsemfwa River define parts of the district’s boundaries, while interior rivers include the Rufunsa, Chiruwe, Chakwenga, and Mupwasha. The district also has numerous streams, including Chilambe, Chitemalesa, Nyampande, Lubalashi, and Ngonga.

Both rivers and streams play a vital role in flood management, serve as wildlife corridors, and support rich, diverse ecosystems. However, rivers in Rufunsa District, like those in other towns, are under threat. Climate change, pollution, invasive weeds, and agricultural runoff endanger these ecosystems and human health.

Generally, rivers in Africa, including those in Zambia, require support through ecological restoration approaches to reverse degradation and improve biodiversity, flood resilience, and water quality. For instance, the health of most rivers and streams in Rufunsa District can be improved through nature-based solutions such as planting trees along riparian zones, removing invasive weeds, reconnecting floodplains, and re-meandering channels.

The Rufunsa River and other water bodies are essential lifelines for communities and the nation. They provide critical freshwater for drinking, sanitation, and industrial use for thousands of people. These water bodies drive the district’s economy through agriculture, aquaculture, and irrigation, while sustaining immense biodiversity as natural habitats. In addition, they function as transport routes, offer recreational opportunities, and deliver key ecological services such as flood control.

Going forward, it would be important for each district across the country to highlight and monitor endangered rivers annually to inform targeted conservation efforts.

For comments, contact the researcher at: [email protected]

30/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cm7GEPGGg/

11/02/2026

https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/plants/china-has-planted-so-many-trees-around-the-taklamakan-desert-that-its-turned-this-biological-void-into-a-carbon-sink

Huge-scale ecological engineering around the edges of one of the world's largest and driest deserts has turned it into a carbon sink that absorbs more CO2 than it emits, research suggests.

11/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Af2QMKGtU/

09/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17tKuazCdN/

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗪𝗲𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: Celebrating wetlands and traditional knowledge and cultural heritage

Join the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands (SCPW) in celebrating World Wetlands Day this 02 February 2026, with this year’s theme, “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage.”

This year’s theme highlights the deep-rooted connections between wetlands and the cultural practices, traditions, and knowledge systems of communities across the globe, showcasing how wetlands shape identities, sustain livelihoods, and pass down generations of ecological wisdom that continue to guide stewardship and resilience.

SCPW continues to promote the wise use and conservation of wetlands to ensure that these life-sustaining ecosystems remain healthy and productive for present and future generations, through activities that increase the awareness of communities and build the capacity of stakeholders.

For this year’s celebration, SCPW is supporting and contributing to the development of Bayawan City’s wetland management plan and its nomination for Ramsar Wetland City accreditation. In addition, SCPW will conduct learning events at the Paligui Wetland in Candaba, Pampanga, and the Panguil River Ecopark in Pangil, Laguna.
Join us in celebrating wetlands as living landscapes shaped by people, culture, and knowledge. Let us work together to safeguard our lifeline for generations to come.

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09/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On Friday, 6th February 2026, African Rivers, a nonprofit international organization, in conjunction with lKOE Foundation, Kafue District Commissioner's Office, Kafue Town Council, IHS Towers, Izanaam Philanthropy, and other stakeholders, successfully undertook a tree planting exercise along the Kafue River Riparian Zones. Over 1,200 trees were donated and planted in Kafue Town to support river restoration efforts and upscale climate action.

African Rivers and partners have launched the fruit tree planting project to restore the Kafue River ecosystem and sensitize local communities on climate change mitigation approaches. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world's forests are facing an alarming mortality rate, with an estimated 13 million hectares of forest lost annually, and a further 65 million hectares affected by pests and diseases (FAO, 2020). Globally, it is estimated that 15 billion trees are cut down each year, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation (Arbor Day Foundation, 2020).

In the Kafue River Basin, deforestation is a significant issue, with about 10,523 hectares of natural forest lost between 1990 and 2010, representing a 78.4% decline in forested area over the 20-year period (Mauya et al., 2015). Soil erosion risk assessment showed that 1.59 tons of soil were lost per hectare annually, equivalent to a loss of US$57.20 per hectare (Mauya et al., 2015).

African Rivers is deeply concerned by the high levels of pollution, soil erosion, and deforestation adversely affecting rivers and other waterbodies in Zambia and across the continent. These are mostly caused by industrial waste, human activities, and climate change. The Kafue River, the longest river lying in Zambia and the largest tributary of the Zambezi River, is a vital ecosystem that supports millions of people and the economy in general.

It is for this reason that African Rivers developed a climate-smart project for river conservation and stakeholder engagement along riverine ecosystems. The tree planting initiative is part of African Rivers' efforts to restore the Kafue River ecosystem and promote climate action.

African Rivers would like to call upon all stakeholders to join efforts to safeguard our rivers, wetlands, and environment by embracing climate-friendly practices. "Undeniably, climate change is a common enemy we must all confront now."

For comments, please contact:
African Rivers
Email: [email protected]
Cell: +260952879001

Issued by:
AFRICAN RIVERS - MEDIA TEAM

02/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/184M6i9vws/

02/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DfywndQHb/