Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - In repeated serious floods in eastern Bolivia, mainly Santa Cruz, Beni, and parts of Cochabamba and La Paz, since December due to "el Niño", at least 39 people have died, over 350,000 are homeless, 23,000 heads of cattle have drowned and bridges and roads and other infrastructures have collapsed. In the worst hit area of Beni where seven of the eight provinces are under water 80,000 people are reported homeless. Fr. Miguel Iraeta Alberti head of Caritas-Beni, said the floods are the worst in living memory, and he praises the generous collaboration of all kinds of people who support the work of Caritas putting their own time and expertise at the service of the victims. He said every effort is being made to deal with the regional emergency ".
The president of Bolivia Evo Morales declared a situation of national disaster and visited the affected areas. Unfortunately many of the victims are in isolated rural areas where it is difficult even with helicopters to deliver food and medicine.
Solidarity campaigns to collect clothes, food, medicine and money have been launched in the dioceses across the country especially in Santa Cruz, L'Alto, Cochabamba and Beni. Some of the aid collected in Caritas offices or parishes is distributed immediately by the respective parish priest or religious or catechists.
Bishop Jesús Juárez of L'Alto diocese appealed to the faithful to be generous. "Let us give full support to initiatives promoted by media, institutions and the local Church to help our brothers and sisters in need with a bridge of solidarity to restore hope that better days will come".
Aid is also coming from the World Food Programme and the governments of Venezuela, Cuba, Spain, Italy, Japan Chile, United States and Argentina.
From Mexico Bishop Gustavo Rodríguez Vega head of the bishops commission for social pastoral wrote a letter to the people of Bolivia assuring them that "the solidarity of Caritas Mexico is at their complete disposal". (RG) (Agenzia Fides 1/3/2007; righe 33, parole 354)
