Running out of time

The Maasai of Ngorongoro are running out of time. The Tanzanian government has been on the attack for years -- burning homes and trying to evict entire communities to clear the way for elephant hunting and luxury tourism. Now two presidential commissions are openly pushing for mass evictions, and thousands of families could lose access to water, medical care, and grazing rights in weeks. The Maasai don't just live in Ngorongoro -- their entire way of life is deeply woven into the grasslands, rivers, and open plains. They've successfully protected these lands for generations, so it's no wonder that wildlife is abundant or that elephants come here to give birth. And that's exactly why the government wants these lands for trophy hunting. We cannot let it happen. Avaaz members provided ALL the funding for a critical court case that previously blocked mass evictions. But now the government is more determined than ever. Maasai elders are calling for our support because they simply don't have the money for expensive legal battles, and time is running out. You’ve generously donated before, thank you. I’m humbly asking again. 

Together, we could fund top lawyers to challenge new evictions in court, protect Maasai families at immediate risk, and we'll help to fund Maasai wildlife conservation projects. You’ll also be supporting Avaaz campaigns defending land rights, Indigenous leadership, and the precious ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. Please donate what you can now:

Dear Dany, The Maasai of Ngorongoro are running out of time. The Tanzanian government has been on the attack for years -- burning homes and trying to evict entire communities to clear the way for elephant hunting and luxury tourism. Now two presidential commissions are openly pushing for mass evictions, and thousands of families could lose access to water, medical care, and grazing rights in weeks. The Maasai don't just live in Ngorongoro -- their entire way of life is deeply woven into the grasslands, rivers, and open plains. They've successfully protected these lands for generations, so it's no wonder that wildlife is abundant or that elephants come here to give birth. And that's exactly why the government wants these lands for trophy hunting. We cannot let it happen. Avaaz members provided ALL the funding for a critical court case that previously blocked mass evictions. But now the government is more determined than ever. Maasai elders are calling for our support because they simply don't have the money for expensive legal battles, and time is running out. You’ve generously donated before, thank you. I’m humbly asking again.  Together, we could fund top lawyers to challenge new evictions in court, protect Maasai families at immediate risk, and we'll help to fund Maasai wildlife conservation projects. You’ll also be supporting Avaaz campaigns defending land rights, Indigenous leadership, and the precious ecosystems that sustain life on Earth. Please donate what you can now: I'LL DONATE R$15 I'LL DONATE R$25 I'LL DONATE R$35 I'LL DONATE R$55 OTHER AMOUNT This fundraiser is about more than just stopping evictions. For decades, elite tourism companies have aggressively carved up Maasai lands, bringing billions into profit-hungry pockets while Maasai communities are left fighting for survival with almost no resources. But a Maasai-led conservancy launched 10 years ago with Avaaz funding recently won a global award for what many thought was impossible: a functioning model of conservation where people co-exist with wildlife. Elephants now return to ancestral birthing grounds. Grasslands regenerate and families live off the same lands. The more we raise today, the more we can do to help the Maasai build their own future and campaign to defend Indigenous-led conservation worldwide. If we raise enough, we could: Fund the Maasai legal defence, supporting research, evidence-gathering, and a bold legal team to challenge evictions in court;  Support ground-breaking Maasai conservation projects, protecting critical ecosystems and proving that Maasai communities can coexist alongside wildlife; Launch a rapid-response fund to support Indigenous leaders fighting for land rights, from the grasslands of Tanzania to the depths of the Amazon rainforest; and, Run bold Avaaz campaigns, standing alongside indigenous communities to protect critical ecosystems and the balance of life on Earth.  We have an incredible opportunity to help protect one of the Earth’s last great grasslands and fight for a future where conservation doesn’t displace people, it depends on them. For the Maasai, this could truly mean everything. Please, donate what you can now: I'LL DONATE R$15 I'LL DONATE R$25 I'LL DONATE R$35 I'LL DONATE R$55 OTHER AMOUNT We know the Maasai can win. We helped block a huge round of evictions and funded a model of conservation that proves that wildlife and people can thrive together. Everything Avaaz does is thanks to millions of people around the world; let's keep standing together for justice and a collective responsibility for the Earth’s memories and wellbeing. In solidarity, Adela, Mike, Marigona, Kaitlin and the whole team at Avaaz More information: Tanzania is Getting Ready to Evict the Maasai From a Conservation Area (IC Magazine) Sham Presidential Commissions Rubber Stamp Tanzanian Government’s Efforts to Evict Indigenous Maasai from Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Oakland Institute) Tanzania's Maasai people facing government pressure to leave (DW) In Kenya, Maasai private landowners come together to protect wildlife corridors (Mongabay)

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