Bolivia's Water Crisis: Is The Drought Over?

Bolivia has historically been exposed to floods and droughts, and in recent years, the country has been facing one of its worst droughts in decades. In 2016, Bolivia's government declared a state of emergency due to water shortages, with the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense estimating that the drought had affected 125,000 families and threatened hundreds of thousands of hectares of agricultural land and livestock. The drought sparked protests in major cities and conflicts between miners and farmers over water resources. The situation was exacerbated by the rapid retreat of Bolivia's glaciers, with cities like La Paz and El Alto relying on them for most of their drinking water.

Bolivia's worst drought in 25 years

Bolivia is currently facing a severe crisis due to a combination of intense winter heat, the climate crisis, and the El Niño phenomenon. In 2023, Bolivia experienced its longest dry period in history, which was intensified by high temperatures. This has resulted in water shortages and rising average temperatures, with Bolivia recording its highest-ever September temperature in 2023, reaching 40.3°C.

The country's worst drought in 25 years has had devastating effects, with over two million people suffering from a lack of rain. Bolivia's government declared a state of emergency in 2016 due to water shortages, making funds available to alleviate the crisis. The drought has also led to protests in major cities and conflicts between miners and farmers over the use of aquifers.

The drought has severely impacted rural areas, where income and jobs depend on agriculture and animal husbandry. Water reservoirs have dried up, causing the loss of potato and other staple food crops, and the death of llamas and alpacas. The frequency and intensity of drought episodes are increasing in the highlands and plains of the country. The effects of the drought are exacerbated by the rapid retreat of Bolivia's glaciers, on which the cities of La Paz and El Alto rely for most of their drinking water.

The Bolivian government has taken emergency measures to address the drought, including allocating funds to provide farmers with water, seeds, forage, and balanced food for livestock. However, farmers still fear they will not recover in time for the summer planting season and are requesting financial aid. The government has also invested in research to help ease the effects of drought in the long term, including investigating drought-resistant species and developing fast-growing hybrids of traditional crops that require less water.

Water shortages in La Paz

Bolivia is facing its worst drought in 25 years, with a state of emergency having been in force for 100 days. The drought has affected thousands of people across the country, with thousands more facing water shortages. Bolivia has lost at least 40% of its glaciers in just two decades, according to the United Nations.

La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital, is one of the cities most affected by water shortages. In 2016, water rationing was used for the first time in La Paz, affecting 80,000 people. The Inkachaka, Ajunkota, and Hampaturi dams, which supply drinking water to more than 30% of the population of La Paz, were operating at a fraction of their capacity. The Inkachaka dam, for example, was operating at only 5% capacity.

The water shortages in La Paz have been caused by a combination of factors, including the El Niño weather cycle, poor water management, and climate change. The rapid retreat of Bolivia's glaciers, which La Paz relies on for most of its drinking water, has also contributed to the shortages. As a result, the dams that supply the city have almost run dry.

The impact of the water shortages in La Paz has been significant. Schools have had to close two weeks ahead of the summer break, and the armed forces have been brought in to distribute water to the city. The poor in La Paz have also staged protests, demanding that the government address the water shortage issue.

The government of Bolivia has taken some steps to address the water shortage issue in La Paz and other affected areas. President Evo Morales called on local governments to devote funds and workers to drill wells and transport water to cities. The government also provided financial assistance to farmers and implemented a form of weather modification called cloud seeding to increase rainfall and alleviate the drought. However, despite these efforts, water shortages in La Paz and other parts of Bolivia persist, and the country continues to face the challenges posed by the ongoing drought.

The impact on Bolivia's agricultural sector

Bolivia is facing its worst drought in 25 years, with a state of emergency having been in force for 100 days. The drought has had a significant impact on the country's agricultural sector, affecting both family farming and agribusiness.

The Vice Ministry of Civil Defense estimated that the drought has affected 125,000 families and threatened 290,000 hectares of agricultural land and 360,000 heads of cattle. Official data indicates that a state of emergency was declared in 142 of Bolivia's 339 municipalities due to crop and livestock loss. The combined impact of the El Niño weather cycle, poor water management, and climate change has caused this unprecedented drought.

The drought has led to conflicts between miners and farmers over the use of aquifers. It has also sparked protests in major cities, with demonstrators demanding that President Evo Morales address the water shortage crisis. In response to the emergency, the government has enacted a dozen decrees and allocated 48 million Bolivianos ($6.9 million) to provide farmers with water, seeds, forage, and balanced food for livestock. Despite this assistance, farmers fear they will not recover in time for the summer planting season and are seeking additional financial aid.

The impact of the drought on specific crops and livestock varies. For example, in the municipality of Belén de Andamarca, located in the department of Oruro, indigenous leader Cristóbal Huanca reported the loss of potato and quinoa crops and the death of llamas due to the lack of rain. In the municipality of San Antonio de Lomerío in Santa Cruz, resident Lidia Chuvé noted that rice, corn, and cassava crops no longer exist due to the annual drought problem, exacerbated by population growth.

The drought has also affected the country's grain and oilseed producers, with losses of more than $180 million due to the stoppage of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybean production. The National Association of Oilseed Producers (ANAPO) anticipates challenges in planting during the summer without economic assistance.

To address food security concerns, the Faculty of Agronomy at the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA) is researching drought-resistant species, including edible, nutritious plants considered weeds, like purslane and dandelion. They are also working on developing fast-growing hybrids of traditional crops that require less water, such as lettuce. Additionally, the National Agriculture and Forestry Innovation Institute (INIAF) has announced the release of drought-resistant seeds of wheat, rice, and soybeans.

While the Bolivian government has taken measures to strengthen agricultural production and provide emergency assistance, the country's farmers and livestock owners continue to demand further financial support to ensure a stable food supply for the nation.

The role of climate change

Bolivia is highly vulnerable to climate change. In 2009, Oxfam experts travelled across the country and interviewed experts, government officials, and NGOs, particularly members of indigenous communities, about their experiences with climate change and their adaptation efforts. The resulting report highlighted five main effects that Bolivia could expect as a result of climate change: reduced food security, decreased water availability due to glacier retreat and disappearance, more frequent and larger-scale natural disasters, an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, and more forest fires.

The impact of climate change on Bolivia's water resources is significant. Bolivia has lost at least 40% of its glaciers in just two decades, according to the United Nations. This has contributed to the severe drought that has affected thousands of people across the country, leading to a state of emergency being declared. The drought has also been exacerbated by the rapid retreat of glaciers that supply drinking water to major cities such as La Paz and El Alto.

Climate change-induced natural disasters, such as forest fires, have also had a devastating impact on Bolivia. In 2019, Bolivia experienced its worst forest fires in history, particularly in the Chiquitanía regions in the east of the country. Climate change created the appropriate climate conditions, such as less water availability and higher temperatures, for these fires to spread and cause significant damage.

The effects of climate change on Bolivia's agriculture and food security are profound. The combination of drought and forest fires has resulted in the loss of crops and livestock, threatening the two main food production systems in the country: family farming and agribusiness. Climate change has also contributed to the increase in mosquito-borne diseases, further impacting the health and well-being of Bolivians.

Overall, climate change has played a significant role in the challenges Bolivia is currently facing. The country's vulnerability to climate change has led to a range of negative impacts, including water scarcity, natural disasters, agricultural losses, and health risks. Addressing these issues and adapting to the changing climate will be crucial for Bolivia's future resilience and sustainable development.

Bolivia's response to the crisis

Bolivia has historically been exposed to floods and droughts, with approximately 40% of its population living in flood-prone areas and more than 16% at risk of drought. The country experienced its worst drought in 25 years between 2016 and 2017, with the government declaring a state of emergency. The drought had a severe impact on both people and the agricultural sector.

• The government allocated 48 million Bolivianos ($6.9 million) to address the emergency, providing farmers with water, seeds, forage, and balanced food for livestock.
• President Evo Morales called on local governments to devote funds and workers to drill wells and transport water to cities, with the support of the armed forces.
• To adapt to the effects of climate change, Morales also emphasised the need to "plan large investments".
• The government enacted a dozen decrees to strengthen agricultural production, including the distribution of funds before the start of the summer planting season.
• The Ministry of Civil Defense allocated 3.2 million Bolivianos ($461,000) to rent or purchase water tanks and pipes.
• The government provided affected families in the Potosi department with forage for their livestock.
• The Food Production Support Enterprise (EMAPA) delivered balanced livestock food to impacted farming families in La Paz and Oruro.
• The Ministry of Civil Defense supplied equipment and resources to municipalities in the Beni department.
• The National Agricultural Insurance Institute (INSA) compensated 10,000 farmers, with insured farmers receiving 1,000 Bolivianos ($144) per hectare lost, up to three hectares.
• The Faculty of Agronomy at Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA) is researching drought-resistant species, including edible, nutritious plants considered weeds, like purslane and dandelion. They are also working on developing fast-growing hybrids of water-efficient crops, such as lettuce.
• The National Agriculture and Forestry Innovation Institute (INIAF) announced the release of drought-resistant seeds of wheat, rice, and soybeans.

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