Bolivia — humanitarian situation

Bolivia has experienced significant social and economic disruption following more than 50 days of cross-sectoral demonstrations and road blockades that began in early May 2026. The mobilizations were triggered by government land reform, economic policies, fuel shortages, and other grievances, severely restricting movement between departments and limiting access to essential services and supplies IFRC. By late May, blockades had expanded across key national transport corridors, with the number of blockage points increasing substantially between 23-27 May IFRC. President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency on 20 June to lift remaining blockades, following weeks of negotiations and the signing of a 19 June agreement with the Bolivian Workers' Central, a key mobilizing actor ACLED. The situation has since gradually eased, with partial reactivation of transit and supply along several routes, though fuel shortages continue to constrain operations (R4V, UNHCR, IOM). At the Desaguadero border crossing, population flows have been significantly reduced with no current reports of stranded populations, while transit numbers in Oruro and La Paz have declined as individuals progressively continue their journeys (R4V, UNHCR, IOM). Bolivia faces compounding health threats amid the regional measles outbreak affecting the Americas. Between epidemiological weeks 1 and 29 of 2026, the Americas region reported 47,026 confirmed measles cases from 17 countries and territories, representing a five-fold increase compared to the same period in 2025, with 48 deaths reported regionally PAHO. While Guatemala, Mexico, the United States, and Canada account for 97 percent of confirmed cases, PAHO urges all Member States to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and vaccination activities PAHO. Additionally, yellow fever transmission activity that increased across the Americas in 2025 has continued into 2026, with six countries reporting 79 human infections and multiple epizootics indicating active sylvatic circulation between 1 January and 26 May 2026 WHO. The humanitarian risk associated with the emerging El Niño phenomenon 2026-2027 is high for Latin America and the Caribbean, with forecasts indicating an 82-88 percent probability of establishment between May and July 2026, increasing to over 90 percent by year-end OCHA. Most forecasts indicate at least a moderate-strength event, with a strong event increasingly possible IASC, IFRC, OCHA. Bolivia previously experienced wildfires and prolonged drought beginning in June 2025, when dry conditions, high temperatures, strong winds, and accumulated dry vegetation created conditions for rapid fire spread across multiple departments IFRC.