Bolivia

A diverse country, Bolivia is home to almost 9 million people who live in three distinct regions: the high Altiplano, the fertile valleys, and the tropical lowlands. Within Latin America, Bolivia has the largest proportion of indigenous people, comprising about two-thirds of the total population. The national economy is based on the export of minerals, oil, natural gas, tin, wood, and Brazil nuts. Bolivia has long been one of the poorest and least developed countries in Latin America, with an average annual income in rural areas of just US $150.

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Bolivia News

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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

Building successes in Bolivia

Water and Sanitation

According to Bolivian government-supplied statistics, the percentage of people with access to safe water in Bolivia is quite high. In rural areas, however, the numbers are much lower, with only 68% having access to a safe and reliable water supply and 22% having access to sanitation. Sanitation is a difficult challenge in Bolivia and a growing area of focus for humanitarian development as the country is the only place in South America not on track to meet the sanitation millennium development goals.

Water For People in Bolivi

Water For People has been working in Bolivia’s rural communities since 1992—almost since its inception—and has maintained an office in the country since 1997. Water For People–Bolivia supported a total of 81 communities and 31 schools in 2009, helping more than 8,447 people gain long-lasting access to water and sanitation.

Water development technologies used in Bolivia include gravity-fed water systems, protected springs, storage tanks, pumped water systems, and rainwater catchment tanks. Sanitation projects typically involve the construction of dry-composting latrines, pour-flush and/or conventional flush toilets.

All of Water For People–Bolivia’s infastructure projects leverage some partner funding, typically including 30%-50% from the local government or municipality and 5% to 10% from the benefiting communities. All projects include labor and cash contributions from the community.

Consistent with Water For People's model, almost all projects involve working with three primary partners: a government entity, a local nongovernmental organization, and the benefiting community. A large component of the organization's current work is developing local government capacities to support community water and sanitation programs for the long-term.

 


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