Because of the droughts, freshwater wells in the surrounding communities had been dry for several months, leaving them more vulnerable to fires and public health concerns
“We cannot live without our forests, without our animals, without our trees, and worse without water, that would be the saddest thing that could happen,” said Polonia Supepi Cuasace, secretary for the Río Blanco Community.
The fires have left many of the remaining natural water sources contaminated. Since the start of the drought, over 30 communities in the Santa Cruz region have had to rely on tank water to sustain their populations.
Thanks to the generous WWF supporters, our on-the-ground partners were able to purchase the fire-fighting equipment, water, food, and medical supplies desperately needed by impacted local communities. The funding has also helped support the monitoring of ongoing fires to provide advanced warning to communities still at risk.
WWF’s Amazon Fire Emergency Fund was designed to drive critical resources to the people at the front lines of the dramatic fires, specifically to local civic organizations that represent and work with Indigenous peoples and local communities to protect the Amazon.
The fires in Bolivia’s Chiquitano Dry Forest have been controlled, but the situation is being continuously monitored.
Learn more about the Emergency Fund for Amazon Fires.