Bolivia

Bolivia, a landlocked country in the heart of South America, is home to over 9 million people. A diverse country, about two-thirds of its population is indigenous. Poverty is widespread in the rural countryside, especially among indigenous communities, where the majority live on less than $2 (US) a day. Contributing to the high level of poverty is limited access to clean drinking water and sanitation. According to the most recent Joint Monitoring Program (JMP) Report by UNICEF and WHO, 86% of people in Bolivia have access to improved water sources and 43% have improved sanitation facilities. However, in the rural areas where Water For People–Bolivia works, access to safe drinking water is as low as 50% and sanitation coverage as low as 15%.

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Bolivia News

  • The Cellphone that Keeps the Water, and Data, Flowing [read more]

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Population:
9,354,000
Languages:
Spanish, Quechua, Aymara
Per capita income:
$3,810
Life expectancy:
64/67
Under-five mortality rate:
61/1,000 live births
Sources:
UNESCO and
UNICEF

Water for People in Bolivia

Water For People began working in Bolivia in 1997. Since that time, Water For People–Bolivia has developed a strategic program to address water and sanitation needs in four rural municipalities: Cuchumuela, Villa Rivero, and Tiraque in the department of Cochabamba, and San Pedro in the department of Santa Cruz.

In 2008, Water For People–Bolivia was invited by the Bolivian government to start work in one peri-urban area outside the city of Cochabamba, District 9. This year, Water For People–Bolivia is expanding its program to the municipalities of Arani and San Benito, also located in the department of Cochabamba. Within each of these municipalities, Water For People works with local government, communities, schools, and local private and civil society organizations to reach high levels of water and sanitation coverage.

Partners

Water For People believes long-lasting water and sanitation solutions can be achieved when key local role players—the local private sector, civil society, and local government—are supported. As such, Water For People is deeply involved with key local stakeholders, including Bolivia’s Department of Drinking Water and Basic Sanitation (VAPySB), Ministry of Environment and Water, National Support Service for Basic Sanitation Services Sustainability (SENASBA), Universidad Mayor de San Simón, and multiple local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private sector companies.

Water For People Initiatives

Work in 2011

Water For People–Bolivia is continuing to grow its programming and influence within the sector. In 2011, programming was expanded into two municipalities in the department of Cochabamba: Arani and San Benito. Water For People–Bolivia also plans to reach full water coverage in Cuchumuela by the end of the year. Within the sector, Water For People–Bolivia was invited by the Ministry of Environment and Water to take part in the National Water Platform. In addition to being active at the national level, Water For People–Bolivia has a strong partnership with the municipalities in which it works and has strong commitments from the mayors and the municipal DMSBs to implement programs. Field Level Operations Watch (FLOW) is being rolled out to all Water For People country programs for rigorous and consistent monitoring, and Water For People–Bolivia will be the first country program to adapt FLOW for use in a range of local data collection needs.

 


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