Costa Rica is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where tourists can drink water straight from the tap. It boasts a 93.9% coverage rate for safe drinking water. However, data from the Latin America and Caribbean Water and Sanitation Observatory (OLAS) shows that this reality does not always extend to the most remote areas.
In the Trifinio region—where the borders of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras meet—rural women play a key role in protecting water, directly impacting agricultural production, community well-being, and environmental conservation.
Progress is like water flowing from the mountains; it’s always finding a way to reach even the most remote places. In the Ayacucho region of Peru, about 80 kilometers from historic Huamanga, lies Pampa Hermosa, a small village of approximately 350 inhabitants.
In the heart of South America lies the Atacama Desert, a region known for its breathtaking arid landscapes and extreme conditions. Spanning over 105,000 square kilometers, this area is officially one of the driest places on Earth. Although its unique beauty captivates visitors, the harsh reality of water scarcity and desertification poses significant challenges for the communities in northern Argentina, northern Chile, southern Peru, and southwest Bolivia.
In 2024, from September 9th to 13th, a nine-member delegation representing Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Paraguay, along with the IDB Water and Sanitation Division, embarked on a journey 30 years into the future: landing in South Korea. Three decades ago, South Korea dealt with challenges in the water, sanitation, and solid waste sectors, including open dumpsites, community project rejection, disarticulation, data shortage, and low circular economy adoption. Today, these remain pressing issues in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Ecuador boasts an extensive network of rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Its Andes Mountains and Amazon region provide the country with significant water resources. However, despite this geographical advantage, Ecuador needs help ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. Rural areas experience these gaps the most. In 2010, two million rural residents in Ecuador lacked access to drinking water services, and two and a half million lacked sanitation systems.
As part of an ongoing effort to improve quality of life and address environmental challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and FEMSA are hosting the 2024 edition of the BID-FEMSA Award. This prestigious program aims to recognize and reward the most innovative solutions in water, sanitation, and solid waste sectors, fostering creativity and ingenuity across the region.
230 proposals from 20 countries received in the 'Call for Proposals' of the IDB's “Too Good to Waste” initiative prove it
ESPAÑOLOn the 2024 International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate the essential role they play in the development of their communities. Despite the challenges they face, women continue to lead initiatives that transform lives, especially in access to clean water and sanitation