Bolivia

Preparing for Extreme Weather with Resilient Infrastructure

Extreme weather events are occurring more frequently as a result of climate change. They take the form of heavy rains, floods, drought, frost and hail in Bolivia’s Andean highlands. Helvetas supports the authorities to be better prepared to deal with the negative impact of environmental disasters and to build more resilient infrastructure.

  • Project Name
    Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Project Phase
    2014 to 2018
  • Funding
    This project is an SDC mandate.
  • Thematic focus
    Climate & Disaster Resilience

Planning and preparing for the worst

They did not cause climate change; they cannot change its course either. What matters to Bolivia’s small farmers is adapting their lives and farming methods accordingly. And the authorities need to provide adequate service and plan and build infrastructure resilient to the negative impacts of climate change, such as floods or drought.

© Helvetas/Eleodoro Baldiviezo
A "Yapuchiri" monitors the seeds using a special program. Yapuchiris are experienced and respected farmers who pass on their knowledge to others. © Helvetas/Eleodoro Baldiviezo

This extensive project aims to improve disaster risk management in Bolivia. Our focus is not directly on individual small farmers, but on the authorities and farmers’ organizations: national government agencies, district and village administrations and civil-society organizations. Over the past ten years, Helvetas has contributed to elaborating technical manuals, guidelines for administrative action, and programs for workshops, which were locally tested and then nationally institutionalized. Experts, representatives of the authorities, and high-ranking officials in the national government come together to discuss climate change, adaptation and resilience. Participation in such dialogue allows to integrate know-how and experiences acquired in the field into policy dialogue, legislation and development programs.

A high-level official in the Bolivian Vice-Ministry of Rural Development, Agriculture and Livestock has underscored the importance of our efforts in Bolivia: “When it comes to concrete projects and investment studies for reservoirs, irrigation systems and erosion control, we proceed on the basis of findings developed by the Helvetas’ project for disaster preparedness and resilience.”

Preparing for Climate Disasters is a Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) mandate implemented by Helvetas.

© Helvetas / Jules Tusseau
A farmer at a local agrometric station collecting climate data and recording it in the manual. The data is used to make harvest forecasts. © Helvetas / Jules Tusseau
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© Helvetas / Jules Tusseau
Farmers are analyzing the risk maps that record the local weather conditions. © Helvetas / Jules Tusseau
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© Helvetas
A Yapuchiri, local farmers' leader and consultant, is reviewing the development of potato plants. © Helvetas
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© Helvetas / Jules Tusseau
Yapuchiris are showing how biological fertilizers can be produced. © Helvetas / Jules Tusseau
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© Helvetas
Yapuchiris are learning in a course how they can record climate data and support the farmer families of the region to better prepare for the effects of climate change. © Helvetas
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Climate & Disaster Resilience

Every year, we support over 1,000,000 people in adapting to climate change, reducing the risks of disasters, sustainably managing natural resources, and conserving nature.

How Helvetas Supports People in Bolivia

Learn how Bolivian farmers adjust production to climate change and local authorities improve waste disposal.

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