The poor condition of roads in the Paraguayan Chaco is delaying the construction of 100 social housing units for the Ishir Virgen Santísima indigenous community in Fuerte Olimpo. The project, initiated in November 2025 by the Ministry of Urban Development, Housing, and Habitat (MUVH), is 55% complete, with completion now forecast only for October.
Each house will have two bedrooms, a hallway, a kitchen stove, and a sheet metal bathroom with a toilet and shower, in addition to electricity and drinking water services. The estimated unit cost is G. 96 million, totaling approximately G. 9.6 billion for the entire project.
The architect in charge of the project, Miguel Pereira, explained that the main problem is transporting materials from the capital, Asunción. Large trucks struggle to travel on roads that become impassable with any rain. On one occasion, it was necessary to use a boat to transport part of the materials by river, which significantly increased transportation costs.
The construction company Almega Cía., represented by Diego Armando Mercado, is accelerating work while the roads are passable. Most of the workers are from the community itself, including experienced masonry foremen and assistants.
Community leader Carlos González emphasized that, in addition to the importance of the new homes, the project generates income for many local families. The Ishir of Fuerte Olimpo are known for their work in fishing, crafts, agriculture, and construction, maintaining close integration with the non-indigenous population of the region.