Many schools in El Alto, the highest major city in the world, have no clean water or toilets. This encourages diarrhea and other infectious diseases, and keeps children away from class.
The situation
El Alto is located in Bolivia’s highlands at around 4,100 meters above sea level, making it the highest major city in the world. 76 percent of the population belong to the indigenous Aymara ethnic group. Rapid population growth in recent decades means El Alto now has over one million inhabitants, and this has presented the city with huge challenges.
One problem in particular is the water supply and sewage system. Schools and kindergartens are also affected, with more than a quarter of schools unable to provide clean drinking water and functioning toilets, or only to a limited extent. As a result, many children suffer from diarrhea, respiratory infections, and skin and eye inflammations, and are all too often kept away from class.
How UNICEF helps
Firstly, UNICEF ensures that the schools in El Alto are equipped with clean drinking water and functioning toilets. Depending on the situation, new facilities are installed or existing ones repaired. Their condition is also checked on a regular basis.
Secondly, UNICEF works to ensure that students adhere to key hygiene rules in order to prevent diseases. In particular, this includes raising awareness among teachers. Children are taught habits that they can practice at home, such as regular handwashing, so that their families and the whole community also benefit from the improvements made at school.