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Peru's water and sanitation crisis

Access to safe water and sanitation has improved in Peru in recent years, yet significant shortfalls in both public infrastructure and household facilities remain. With a total population of 32 million, about 2 million people lack access to an improved water source and 4 million lack access to improved sanitation.

Peru’s diverse landscape includes a rapidly expanding urban population, leading to urban slums which have limited or no access to safe piped water. This is in addition to communities in the remote regions of the Amazon and Andes with no access to piped or treated drinking water or safe human waste disposal.

In Peru and around the world, millions are navigating the COVID-19 pandemic with the added challenge of living without access to safe water. Now more than ever access to safe water is critical to the health of families in Peru.

Despite these challenges, the Peruvian microfinance market is among the most developed in the world in terms of its regulatory enabling environment and competition. Water.org sees great potential in this market to increase access to water and sanitation.

2 million Lack access to safe water
Capital: Lima
Population of 32 million
4 million people lack access to improved sanitation

Our impact in Peru

Launched in 2013, Water.org’s programs in Peru prioritize regions that have a strong financial institution presence and high demand for water and sanitation improvements.

Water.org’s financial partners have a strong presence nationwide, but especially in Lima, the northern coast and the southern highlands. Our partners are disbursing loans for indoor bathrooms, water and sewage connections, improved sanitary installations, and tanks for water collection and storage.

3.7 M 3.7 million people reached with safe water or sanitation
$1.1 B $1.1 billion in loans disbursed by our partners
1 M 1 million loans disbursed for water and sanitation
8 8 partners
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Over the next five years, Water.org will prioritize increasing access to water and sanitation financing nationally through new and expanded partnerships with local financial institutions. In addition, we will explore offering water and sanitation financing through commercial banks as well as lending and repayment options through a digital or mobile platform. Digital financial services are a powerful tool to reach remote households with financial resources who otherwise don’t have access to brick-and-mortar banks.

We are helping financial institutions develop products best suited for local demand and reaching more people faster, and at a lower cost.
  • Stories of Impact

    Nelly's heart

    Water is a smart investment. The best investment the world can make to reduce disease, increase income, keep kids in school, and change lives. Nelly believed this to be true, and now she knows it for a fact. Thanks to Water.org’s smart solution known as WaterCredit, the hardworking, loving, single mom who wanted to give her family safe water and a better life was able to do it.

    Read more
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  • Stories of Impact

    Ladreo ended his family's water crisis

    Through our partner, Mi Banco, Ladreo took out a small loan to fund the construction of a bathroom and a water storage tank that connects to a shower and a faucet. Now Ladreo’s family home is complete. Read Ladreo's story.

    Read more
    :Ladreo peru
  • Stories of Impact

    She can move mountains

    Yolanda is a hopeful, determined woman. We know this because every day she works to provide water for her family. Her home sits above the city of Cusco in the Andes Mountain range at more than 2,000 feet from the center of town. Yolanda purchases buckets of water from residents in town. At least every other morning, she makes her way down the steep, rocky road from her house to buy as much water as she can carry back up the more than one mile vertical trek.

    Read more
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See all Peru stories

Peru impact statistics

People reached 3.7 million

The number of people who now have access to safe water or sanitation and the health and opportunity they bring.

Capital mobilized (USD) $1.1 billion

Our partners mobilize funds from capital markets to provide water and sanitation loans.

Loans disbursed 1 million

Our local partners make loans to people in need for life-changing safe water and sanitation solutions.

Number of active partners 8

We work with financial institutions, service providers, international agencies, and governments to make an impact.

Repayment rate 99%

Every repaid loan means another family in need can get affordable access to safe water at home.

Average loan size (USD) $1,178

Small loans can help make a big difference by providing long-term solutions for families in need around the world.

Percent of women borrowers 43%

Women are primarily responsible for household water collection and are solving the water crisis for their families.

Households living under $6.00/day 65%

We are committed to helping people living in poverty get access to safe water and sanitation solutions at home.

To help us reach more people in need of safe water and sanitation in Peru, donate today.

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