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