Movement of People Affected by Dams (MAB)

MAB (Movement of People Affected by Dams) advocates for the human right to water and land, particularly for displaced people. Established in 1991 as an autonomous national popular movement, MAB represents hundreds of displaced families who have self-organized in areas impacted by the construction of large hydroelectric dams.

Large infrastructure projects -- like dams -- force rural families of their land. In violation to their rights, poor and indigenous families are neither fully informed about nor asked to consent to projects that threaten their house, land and livelihood. Once displaced, families do not receive proper assistance and compensation to rebuild their livelihoods.

MAB provides logistic and legal support to families threatened or displaced by dams. Working in 17 Brazilian states, MAB represents a network of organized communities that were (or are) targeted by hydropower dams. The group successfully stopped the privatization of rivers and other natural resources through grassroots organizing and education.

MAB advocates for alternative energy policies, including the improvement of existing dams to meet national demands. MAB is at the forefront of a global movement in defense of the rights of dam-affected families and the rivers.