Resume
Since July 2024, Bolivia has faced severe wildfires. The Santa Cruz department declared a state of emergency in July, followed by a national disaster declaration in September. By mid-September, about 4 million hectares had burned, and 25,335 individuals were reported affected, though the total number is likely higher. The damage exceeds the 2019 Amazon fires with severe consequences for the environment, public health, infrastructure, biodiversity, and livelihoods across four departments. Many families, especially in rural areas of Santa Cruz, suffer from lack of access to clean water and diarrhea outbreaks as ash contaminates water sources. Rural shops have no supplies left, leaving families dependent on limited food reserves. As a rapid response, the AKAM/FCBC-partnership aims to purchase and distribute i) drinking water and basic food packages, ii) firefighting equipment for local brigades and iii) medication for issues related to burns, respiration, diarrhea and related illnesses.