In July, our contributions to Ecologi supported two significant projects: protecting the Matavén forest in Eastern Colombia and repairing boreholes in Eritrea.
Colombia is celebrated for its biodiversity, containing an estimated 10% of the world’s plant and animal species. As one of 12 megadiverse countries, its ecosystems are home to over 40,000 plant species. The Vichada department, situated on the eastern plains near Venezuela in the Orinoco River basin, has faced severe deforestation. From 1990 to 2005, the region lost about 500,000 hectares of forest, a 3.2% reduction.
The Matavén REDD+ project conserves 1,150,212 hectares of tropical forest within the Indigenous Reservation of the Matavén Forest. Over the past decade, this initiative has mitigated emissions by providing local farmers with sustainable livelihoods and employing them as rangers, preventing deforestation. Nearly 16,000 Indigenous people benefit from associated projects, including education, healthcare, dental services, sanitation, and food security. Certified by Verra’s Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Standard (CCBS), the project delivers substantial benefits for local communities and biodiversity conservation.
Globally, one in nine people lack access to clean water at home, and 60% live in water-stressed regions. In Eritrea, only 19% of the population has access to nearby clean water, forcing many to travel long distances or rely on unsafe sources like rivers or open wells. This scarcity, worsened by persistent drought, severely affects health and is the second leading cause of death and disability in the country.
The Zoba Debub Community Boreholes project aims to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water for hundreds of households in Eritrea’s Zoba Debub district. Boreholes, drilled up to 100 metres deep, tap into clean underground water, which is then hand-pumped to the surface. The project renovates disused boreholes and implements maintenance programmes to ensure continuous access to clean water.
In Zoba Debub, where inefficient wood fires are commonly used to purify water, this project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by providing safe water and decreasing the need for firewood. It greatly improves health and alleviates poverty by offering a reliable source of clean water.
To learn more about the projects we’ve supported, you can view our profile here. If you’d like to join the Ecologi community and contribute to projects like these, you can get in touch about our webcasting services or register your business with Ecologi.