In the midst of the escalating crisis of droughts and wildfires in the Amazon rainforest and other parts of Brazil, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made a visit to the region to witness the extent of the damage. Speaking during a visit to a riverside community near the city of Tefé, Lula expressed deep alarm over the worst drought the Amazon has experienced in over four decades.

Lula highlighted the alarming transformation of once-mighty rivers into desolate landscapes and voiced his concerns over the devastating fires that have ravaged three of Brazil's crucial biomes - the Amazon, the Cerrado, and the Pantanal wetlands. He emphasized that the situation is worsening each passing year, mentioning the dire consequences for humanity if action is not taken urgently.

The devastating effects of the drought and fires have been felt across Brazil, with Amazonas state being one of the hardest hit. All 62 municipalities in the state have declared a state of emergency, affecting over 340,000 people. Lula has personally witnessed the anguish and despair of the drought-stricken communities in Amazonas state during his visit.

As the crisis intensifies, not just Brazil but neighboring countries like Bolivia and Peru are grappling with extreme climate events, including record-breaking temperatures and raging fires. The capital of Amazon state, Rio Branco, has experienced such severe smoke and pollution that schools were closed and flights diverted. In Rondônia state's capital, Porto Velho, the Madeira River is at its lowest level in decades.

The consequences of the wildfires and drought extend even to major cities like Rio and São Paulo, where air quality has plummeted. According to experts, a staggering 60% of Brazil - roughly a 5 million square kilometer area - is covered in smoke from the fires.

Greenpeace Brazil's Danicley de Aguiar, who is closely monitoring the situation, has stated that the current drought and fire combination has reached unprecedented levels. Aguiar emphasizes that this crisis not only affects the north but also the midwest, south, southeast, and parts of the northeast of Brazil. Disturbingly, Indigenous territories, including Sararé near the Brazilian-Bolivian border, are also facing alarming rates of fire, jeopardizing the communities' crops and potentially leading to hunger.

Brazil's environment minister, Marina Silva, has partly attributed the situation to the effects of global heating and the El Niño climate pattern. However, urgent action is needed to address and mitigate the worsening crisis expected to persist in the coming weeks.

As the world observes this alarming development, the international community and Brazil's own government are called upon to prioritize the preservation and protection of the Amazon rainforest, a vital ecosystem for the planet's health and the survival of numerous communities and indigenous peoples who depend on its resources.