titicaca lake
    Latin America, Bolivia, Peru, Education

    Water extraction in the Andes: Adaptation to climate change

    Project Number: 400.1022

    The climate crisis is exacerbating the water crisis in many places and putting smallholder households in the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes under increasing pressure. Both the cultivation of sufficient food for self-sufficiency and feed for livestock is at risk due to a lack of water availability. As a result, sales of the associated alpaca wool and knitwear are also at risk of collapsing.

    With our project work in the area of water harvesting in the Andes, we support smallholder households in dealing with climate change. Our aim is to improve the skills of smallholder families in water harvesting in order to adapt to climate change. To this end, our partner organizations impart important knowledge in the field of water management, for the construction of water retention basins and new water seepage pits as well as reforestation with local tree and bush stands on the banks of selected streams and river beds. Our partner organizations thus make an important contribution to replenishing water reservoirs and work together with both smallholder households and elected representatives of indigenous communities.

    In addition to targeted work on water catchment strategies, it is also important to raise awareness among the general public and the responsible authorities in order to promote commitment to the protection of water bodies and the unique Andean wetlands.

    Background information

    In the context of climate change, extreme weather events such as drought and prolonged extreme cold, which leads to frost, are increasing in intensity and frequency. This also presents people in the Andes with major new challenges. While smallholder households could still count on five to six months of rain 20 years ago, today the figure is just four to five months.

    Glaciers as water sources are also declining drastically. According to the authorities in Bolivia and Peru, the glacier retreat in the project region of the departments of Cusco and Puno (Peru) and La Paz (Bolivia) is between 70 and 90 percent. Important rivers are thus losing their most important water reserves and carry little water in the dry season, which makes supply and agriculture more difficult.

    There is a great need for action, as over 90 percent of smallholder farming families in these departments have no technical irrigation infrastructure. They are dependent on acquiring new knowledge and methods in the field of water management and working with micro-irrigation methods. The Lake Titicaca region in particular is facing a serious crisis that is jeopardizing the water supply for almost three million people in Bolivia and Peru. A large part of the population is of indigenous origin. Aymaras and Quechuas are particularly well represented.

    Project goals

    Together with its partner organizations, Missi-on 21 supports smallholder households in acquiring knowledge and skills in the field of water management and in setting up water retention basins and micro-irrigation systems. Water harvesting strategies such as reforestation and the planting of Andean grasses and mosses are also intended to increase the water storage capacity of the surrounding ecosystems.

    Target group

    The activities are mainly aimed at smallholder indigenous communities in rural areas. Women play an important leadership role, as they are permanently present on the ground and play a key role in agriculture. However, the educational programs and all project activities relating to water extraction are open to all interested parties who wish to participate and expand their knowledge.

    Activities

    - Imparting skills and knowledge in the field of water management
    - Construction of water retention basins and natural seepage pits on slopes
    - Reforestation and planting of shrubs along strategic areas such as water source areas, river beds and wetlands
    - Installation of micro-irrigation systems for the cultivation of food crops
    - Imparting knowledge for dealing with enforcement authorities and about basic rights in water use

    Some projects implemented since 2022

    Bolivia
    Machaca Amawta Foundation in the Departamento La Paz:
    - Installation of 30 micro-irrigation systems for families in five communities and construction of two communal irrigation systems in two communities in the Ayata district:
    - 80 families in the Ayata district have been trained in water management and low-budget water harvesting methods for sustainable food production and water supply. In addition to the construction of water retention basins, the focus is on reforestation and the careful use of water as a resource.

    Peru
    Cedepas Peru in the department of Puno:
    - In the Arapa project area, a precise mapping of the available water resources (springs, wetlands and rivers) and water uses was carried out. This created the planning basis for the construction of water infiltration ditches and reforestation areas.
    - Installation of drip irrigation systems and solar-powered water pumps for around 80 families
    - Water infiltration ditches and water retention basins were built and reforestation was carried out in an important source area of a river used by project participants in the food sovereignty projects in Arapa. This optimizes the availability of water for numerous families.

    IDECA, in the Dept. of Puno:
    - Together with 23 families, three water retention basins and two water channels were built to irrigate a communal greenhouse.
    - Numerous workshops and forums were also held on the following topics: sustainable water management, recreation and conservation of wetlands, the "Bofedales", use of natural and cultivated pastures, rediscovery of traditional and forgotten water management methods.

    Below is a film by our partner organization IDECA on coping with climate change in the highlands

    film ideca

    Project images

    Map

    Bolivia

    11.3 million inhabitants (2024)

    36.4 % live below the poverty line (2023)

    Peru

    34 million inhabitants (2023)

    33 % live below the poverty line (2023)

     

    Project budget 2025
    CHF 30 000

     

    Hope thanks to your support

    Mission 21
    Protestant Mission Basel

    PO Box 270
    Missionsstrasse 21
    4009 Basel, Switzerland
    Tel.: +41 (0)61 260 21 20
    info@mission-21.org

    Donation account Switzerland:
    IBAN: CH58 0900 0000 4072 6233 2
    Tax exemption number:
    CHE-105.706.527

    Donation account Germany:
    Savings Bank Lörrach-Rheinfelden
    Swift BIC: SKLODE66
    BLZ: 683 500 48
    IBAN: DE39 6835 0048 0001 0323 33
    Account No. : 1032333

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