Strengthening the Human Security of Rural Communities Through Integral Support to Their Resilience, Response Capacity and Food Security Situation

Bolivia is a disaster prone country affected by the ‘El Niño’ and ‘La Niña’ climate patterns as well as the consequences of climate change. In recent years, the population has been affected by consecutive climate change induced disasters, such as droughts and the impacts of natural hazards including severe floods and landslides. These events have caused injuries, resulted in displacement, and led to massive damage to housing, infrastructure, agriculture, drinking water and sanitation services.

The programme seeks to build the resilience of rural low-income and indigenous families in Beni, one of the regions most exposed to the consequences of natural disasters, including epidemic outbreaks and loss of livelihoods. Through building a coordinated local strategy and a multi-sectoral approach, the programme focuses on reducing vulnerability and enhancing local capacities to help communities cope better with climate-related threats. Specifically, the programme aims to: (i) rehabilitate the livelihoods of affected households, while preventing and mitigating future economic and social losses; (ii) assure food security and income generation; (iii) improve hygiene practices and access to safe water and sanitation, while enhancing the nutritional and health status of mothers and children; (iv) create emergency preparedness and response capacity for local communities; and (v) encourage sustainability and replication through a common communication strategy that promotes the human security approach through highlighting best practices that emerge from the programme.

KEY MATERIALS
Programme Summary