Bolivia
Our impact so far
Bolivia experiences many different hazards, with floods, fires, droughts and frost being the most frequent. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, the number of adverse events in Bolivia doubled between 2014 and 2022. While 2014 was presented with a record-breaking number of floods (100 registered events), 42 flood events were registered in 2022. In contrast, 4 forest fire events were recorded in 2014, whereas 145 fires were seen in 2022.
According to Wildlife Conservation Society in Bolivia, changes in humidity, prolonged and extreme dry periods, increased wind intensity, more intense but shorter periods of precipitation, all contribute to the occurrence and intensification of fires as more combustible material is generated under these conditions. Traditional practices, such as the use of fire to manage pastures for livestock, combined with these conditions are leading to more frequent, widespread and intensified wildfires affecting mainly indigenous territories.
Practical Action is working in rural and urban communities across Bolivia to strengthen resilience at the community level, with a focus on climate resilience, disaster risk management, sustainable agriculture, water and sanitation, and access to energy. Up to 2024, Practical Action’s work focused on flood resilience in the Rurrenabaque, San Buenaventura and Mecapaca municipalities. As a result, vulnerable populations in the Beni/Mamore and La Paz river basins are increasing their resilience towards regular flood events.
Country Partners
Programme highlights
Sharing evidence from the Flood Resilience Measurement for Communities in Bolivia
Implementing resilience at community level in Bolivia
Strengthening flood resilience through educational institutions in Bolivia
The future
Practical Action teams in Bolivia will focus on strengthening Early Warning Systems for Anticipatory Action, improve Disaster Risk Management, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation planning, increase finance and begin to implement resilient practices related to insurance. The outcomes will be as follows:
- Timely climate information triggers anticipatory actions and is used for decision making to reduce climate risk.
- Integrated Water Resources Management led by communities are integrated systemically for effective flood risk reduction measures.
- Wildfire risk reduction efforts (projects, local & national policies) are considered from a community/local resilience perspective.
- The most vulnerable people to floods and wildfires benefit from improved insurance mechanisms.
