Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - The emergency situation continues in various parts of Bolivia, due to the severe flooding that has afflicted the country in recent weeks. Caritas of Bolivia is currently carrying out an emergency aid plan to provide humanitarian assistance to victims of the flooding that has devastated nine provinces of the country. The local workers and volunteers of Caritas are distributing basic materials - mainly food, medicine, and clothing - to some 30,000 victims living in the districts of Santa Cruz, La Paz, Beni, Chuquisaca, Oruro, Potosí, Cochabamba, Tarija, and Pando.
The second phase for the emergency plan, that will be placed underway when waters have receded, includes the distribution of seeds and farming equipment among 90 rural communities who have been especially effected by the flooding and live very far from the major cities. These communities are among those that suffer most from unstable living conditions, with poverty levels between 70 - 98%.
Caritas of Bolivia is providing aid for the victims within the national plan from the Bolivian Civil Defense, of which it forms a part. This recent catastrophe, which authorities estimate has left 53,000 families victims and a 60% loss of crops, is pared up to the similar crises of 2006 and 2007 in the Amazon Valley of Bolivia that devastated hundreds of indigenous communities.
Caritas of Spain, that has for years worked in collaboration with Caritas of Bolivia and contributed to its institutional maintenance, also supporting this emergency plan, with a contribution of 100,000 Euros, from its special emergency funds.
There has also been an opening in the possibility of a temporal hold on the political debate between the government and the opposition party, as they now face the vast destruction left by the heavy downpours of recent weeks. The possibility has arisen thanks to a widespread public awareness that political and regional interests cannot remain priority, when the support of everyone is needed in facing this situation.
The United Nations announced yesterday, February 26, their petition to the international community, on Bolivia’s behalf, for 18.2 million dollars in order to provide critical aid to flood victims. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has stated that these funds will be used towards providing food, water, lodging, health services, and other basic necessities, as well as for the funding of agricultural and educational programs and child protection. The request for funds includes 30 humanitarian projects that will be carried out in the following 6 months, by 8 UN agencies and 8 Non-Governmental Organizations.
Since last November, the constant rain, linked to the weather pattern called “La Niña,” has been the cause of at least 61 deaths and has affected 73,000 families. The rains and flooding have also destroyed part of the country’s road system, caused the death of thousands of livestock, and left behind acres of ruined crops. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 27/2/2008 righe 38, parole 472)
