Río Limpio
Your support helps Río Limpio fight dengue virus and plastic waste in the Amazon by putting science in the hands of local people.
About Río Limpio: Río Limpio is a community-based project using science to confront two urgent and connected challenges in the Peruvian Amazon: dengue transmission and plastic pollution. We partner with rural river communities to develop sustainable, local solutions that protect both human health and the environment. Rio Limpio is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.
The Problem: Remote communities along the rivers of the Peruvian Amazon are facing intersecting health and environmental threats. The connection between two urgent problems—dengue transmission and solid waste—is central to our work. The dengue mosquito lays its eggs in water-filled containers, such as discarded plastic trash. Plastic pollution is increasing in these remote areas, brought in by cargo ships that also transport hitchhiking dengue mosquitoes. This has enabled the mosquitoes to invade communities deep within the rainforest. It’s a new and evolving problem—dengue was once limited to cities in South America—and it’s especially concerning because many of these communities are far from the medical care needed to treat severe dengue cases. The communities also have limited access to solid waste management, and often pile up their trash to burn on a dry day - in the meantime, these piles of trash serve as breeding grounds for the dengue mosquito.
Our Approach: We believe simple, affordable solutions can make a big difference. Río Limpio uses scientific methods to track the scale of these issues and evaluate what works—while ensuring that communities lead the way. We recruit and train local health workers who implement mosquito control and waste management interventions, lead public education efforts, and help monitor impact. Our work is guided by partnerships with scientists and local leaders to ensure that every action is grounded in data, sustainability, and community priorities.
Your Support: Your donation helps turn Río Limpio into action. With your support, we can provide mosquito-control tools like screens for water barrels, offer monthly stipends to local health workers, and cover the costs of removing plastic waste from river communities. Every contribution supports local solutions that protect health and the environment in the Amazon.
Fundraisers
Official fundraiser
Help Protect Amazonian Communities from Mosquitos and Waste!
We are launching Project Río Limpio , a new nonprofit project partnering with rural communities in the Peruvian Amazon to tackle trash, pollution, and mosquito‑borne diseases that threaten both people and rivers. Rural communities in the Amazon are face many challenges, but they have incredible resilience. The goal of Río Limpio is to support communities to protect their health and the ecosystems they depend on. But we can’t do it without you. This is your moment to make a real, immediate difference. A gift of any size moves us forward. Why this work matters right now : Dengue is increasingly threatening rural Amazonian communities, driven in part by unmanaged trash and water‑filled containers that become mosquito breeding sites. Together with local partners, we’re building solutions that last through: Co‑designing community‑led waste management systems Reducing open trash burning Eliminating mosquito breeding habitats Using scientific tools to measure and transparently report our impact Funding for international public health and environmental work has become increasingly scarce. But there are people who believe in a healthier, more equitable world — and if you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them! What our team has accomplished so far — thanks to prior scientific grant support: Visited 70+ communities across the Peruvian Amazon, confirming dengue mosquito presence in many for the first time Distributed 800 rapid dengue tests to 77 rural health posts, helping detect outbreaks that would have gone unnoticed Found that up to 88% of residents in some communities have been infected with dengue — revealing hidden epidemics Trained 19 community health workers in 5 communities to eliminate mosquito habitats These efforts have shown us something important: unmanaged trash is a major barrier to stopping dengue. That’s why waste management is our next urgent step. Learn more at www.riolimpio.org . Our goal: $20,000 in 30 days This will support efforts to: Launch community waste‑management systems Equip and support local health workers and biologists Respond quickly as we enter new communities Build the foundation for long‑term, locally led solutions Your support right now will have an immediate, measurable impact. With gratitude,
The Project Río Limpio Team
- Raised
- $125
- Goal
- $20,000
2 supporters
DonateDonors
Guadalupe Gonzalez To the fundraiser: Help Protect Amazonian Communities from Mosquitos and Waste!Sofia John To the fundraiser: Help Protect Amazonian Communities from Mosquitos and Waste!