Bolivia’s Indigenous Women Lead Fire Response

Rosa Pachurí Paraba, president of the Regional Organization of Chiquitana Indigenous Women in Bolivia, is working to restore food security after devastating wildfires. In 2024, Bolivia experienced its worst fire season on record, burning roughly 12.6 million hectares—an area equivalent to Cuba. The Santa Cruz department was particularly affected, with fires consuming 68 percent of its land.

The fires impacted Indigenous communities in Chiquitanía, destroying forests, crops, and water sources. Many families lost homes and livelihoods, and some experienced loss of life, like the father-in-law of Elizabeth Arteaga. While the national government was slow to respond, Indigenous women organized environmental monitors and provided shelter and resources.

Communities are now reviving traditional practices like barter to address food shortages. A 2023 study highlights how the Monkox people integrate ancestral knowledge with modern techniques for fire management and sustainable agriculture. Though communities have evacuation plans and trained brigades, full forest recovery remains uncertain and harvests are not yet sufficient for everyone.