Reducing risks of natural disasters in Bolivia

SDC’s programme for reducing the impact of disasters faced by the rural population of Bolivia has started back in 2005 and reached since then several positive impacts: for instance a 45% reduction of damages on cultures through cold spells and hailstorms; 350 clients having contracted a new model of agricultural insurance against natural disasters; 13 municipalities having integrated 110 project schemes for reducing risks in their development plans and increased their expenditures of 210% on this issue.

In its new phase the programme will be financed and monitored both by the regional cooperation and the humanitarian Aid division of SDC, as the approaches used by both bodies are complementary. 

The objective of this third phase is to strengthen capacities in order to reduce the impact of natural disasters and climate change on society, infrastructure and economy and thus contribute to poverty reduction. This will be done through three components:

1)    local capacities of municipalities, communities and civil society organisations towards risk management are strengthened

2)    the agricultural production of the most vulnerable groups are better secured against natural disasters, by working on agricultural techniques and practices with farmer organisations and cooperatives

3)    Other SDC programmes are less sensitive to natural disasters and climate change (CC) thanks to the integration of specific approaches and measures in their planning.

Intercooperation is in charge of the components 1 and 2. The programme will be implemented in close collaboration with governmental bodies, municipalities, civil society and farmer organisations for a period of four years.

Please read more on the PRRD website.