Peru's water and sanitation crisis

Out of its population of 32 million people, 16 million people (48% of the population) lack access to a reliable, safely managed source of water, and 15 million people (47%) lack access to safely managed household sanitation facilities. Access to safe water and sanitation has improved in Peru in recent years, yet significant shortfalls in both public infrastructure and household facilities remain.

Peru’s diverse landscape includes a rapidly expanding urban population, leading to urban slums which have limited or no access to safe piped water, impacting the health of the people living there. 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. Droughts and stress on aging infrastructure pose threats, as well.

Despite these challenges, the Peruvian microfinance market is among the most developed in the world. Water.org sees great potential in this market to increase access to water and sanitation through our smart solutions.

  • 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.

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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.

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  • 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.

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Peru impact statistics

People reached 4 million

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

Capital mobilized (USD) $1.2 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 7

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) $1,150

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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