Peru installs improved stoves to protect rural health in sierra and selva

The Fondo de Cooperación para el Desarrollo Social (Foncodes), a program of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion (Midis), installed 451,302 improved stoves in rural homes across the sierra and selva regions of Peru.

The project, known as Haku Wiñay/Noa Jayatai, operates between October 2012 and October 2026 to improve the quality of life for families living in poverty or extreme poverty. The improved stoves replace traditional cookstoves to reduce indoor air pollution by minimizing smoke and ash emissions.

These designs also help prevent household fires and burns. The technology uses wood or dung more efficiently to generate heat, which helps families save on fuel. Foncodes designed different models to suit specific geographic conditions, including high Andean, inter-Andean valley, and jungle regions. All models carry certification from the Servicio Nacional de Capacitación para la Industria de la Construcción (Sencico) to ensure safety and energy efficiency. Local leaders called yachachiq provide technical assistance and training during the installation process.

While the project provides materials like bricks, metal combustion chambers, and chimneys, the participating families contribute their own available assets. In addition to the stoves, the organization installed 481,286 safe water modules and waste disposal modules to promote healthy habits. Foncodes began 91 new interventions in 21 departments in 2026, reaching 36,565 new households with a planned investment of 224.2 million soles.