The so-called Bolivia Water War took place in the arid city of Cochabamba in 2000 after privatization of municipal water services caused a dramatic rise in monthly water costs. Protests caused the overturn of the contract, but many problems exist in Cochabamba and other communities that lack clean water.
The contract was overturned after months of protest, but many issues still remain. Water is so scarce in Cochabamba that growing food is nearly impossible, and parts of the city lack electricity and running water. The effects of climate change are exacerbating the water crisis as increased droughts put pressure on the agricultural economy. As a result, the rural population is displaced to urban areas where water and sanitation infrastructure is already under much stress. The state of Bolivia’s infrastructure is so poor that only 27 percent of the population has adequate access to sanitation facilities, second-worst in the Americas region, after Haiti.
ChildFund partners with local Cochabamba group Obispo Anaya to provide families access to purified water as well as several educational initiatives to teach people about responsible water usage and conservation. Another focus of our partnership is improving access to sanitation facilities. With a grant, ChildFund Bolivia has built five water systems in 12 rural communities near La Paz, providing clean water to 2,000 people and bathrooms in schools for 1,500 children. While access to water and sanitation has improved significantly since the Bolivian Water War, many people still do not have adequate access to either. To help improve these conditions, please consider donating to our Essentials for Survival fund.