The project is funded by the European Union through the EUROCLIMA+ programme for the amount of one and a half million euros.

Bolivia, February 5, 2019. Peru and Bolivia will develop a joint drought risk reduction project in the Andean highlands until 2021 with the support of the European Union under the framework of the EUROCLIMA+ programme within the Disaster Risk Management and Reduction component being implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) and the French Development Agency (AFD).

Faced with recurring, extreme drought problems in both countries, the project's challenges are focused on reducing the risk of agricultural losses. The first challenge is to better understand the threat and risk of droughts, to determine when a situation is classified as a drought and in this way address alerts based on the reality of the user with the appropriate decision and action. Achieving common understanding in this area with the National Weather and Hydrology Service of Bolivia and Peru (SENAMHI) will allow the implementation of efficient climate services for the management of drought risk.

The second challenge is to strengthen the governance of drought risk as a priority in the agricultural sector. The actions of national and subnational governments for responding to emergency situations, should evolve towards risk prevention and reduction, and preparation to face droughts.

Likewise, the third challenge is to invest in drought risk reduction and resilience by supporting the design and implementation of short, medium and long-term measures in priority areas of La Paz (Bolivia) and Puno (Peru), mobilising local institutional capacities and social organisations.

In this framework, “strengthening national and local capacities in drought risk reduction ensures resilience and the efficient use of mechanisms and tools to carry out prevention actions,” said Gualberto Carrasco, Director General a.i. of SENAMHI - Bolivia.

The project will expand experience and knowledge about drought risk reduction as called for in the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will focus on the indigenous farmer populations (Quechuas and Aymaras) of the Peruvian-Bolivian altiplano that are impoverished and vulnerable; on institutions in Peru and Bolivia that need to strengthen their capacity for adaptation and rapid recovery during water deficit and drought conditions; and finally; on supporting the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) for adaptation to climate change, associated with agriculture and water issues, in coordination with government agencies.

The partner entities responsible for project execution are the National Meteorology and Hydrology Services of Bolivia and Peru, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation of both countries, and the Centre for Disaster Prevention Studies (PREDES) in Peru.

For more information about the project: https://www.euroclima.org/index.php/es/proyectos-riesgo/item/216-peru-y-bolivia-reduccion-del-riesgo-de-sequias

Contacts:

Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología SENAMHI – Bolivia: http://senamhi.gob.bo

HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation: www.helvetas.org/es/bolivia