AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Difficulties persist after serious flooding

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - The people of Bolivia are still struggling to recover from the consequences of the worst floods in 25 years. This year the El Niño phenomenon has caused serious damage with floods, drought and below freezing temperatures.
In recent months 600,000 people and 114,674 families have been affected, millions of dollars have been lost, at least 494,000 acres of farmland have been destroyed and 22,000 heads of cattle drowned.
Months of rain has left vast areas under water- from the Bolivian Andes to the Amazon basin - causing mudslides and impeding rescue and aid work.
Most of the Christian missionaries SJC Serving Jesus Christ lost everything including homes and harvests and had to be evacuated to a Trinidad, capital of the province of Beni, with another 90,000 people. All have desperate need of medicines, clothing and food and they ask for prayers and help.
From the beginning the SJC missionaries used boats to reach 40 communities on the other side of the river. They opened more than 20 churches, a library and a Christian school for poor children. With a floating clinic on a boat they also provided basic medical care to the people who live along the river. (AP) (25/4/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:21; Parole:237)