AID TO BOLIVIA TO CONTINUE AS FLOODS AFFECT NEW AREAS

AID TO BOLIVIA TO CONTINUE AS FLOODS AFFECT NEW AREAS

NEW YORK, 9 March (OCHA) -- Emergency aid in Bolivia is expected to continue over the next weeks, since floods are still affecting new areas.  Moreover, reports indicate recent floods and ice storms in different regions of the country.  Meanwhile, the transitional phase is taking root, focusing on development and recovery activities, with the support of a mission by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to the latest reports, 27,500 families have been affected and 12,742 are in need of humanitarian aid.  To date, 23 persons have died as a result of the floods and 9,374 families have been evacuated.

Most affected areas are situated in the south of Pando Department and in the north of Beni Department along the rivers Beni, Madre Dios and Orthon.  Up to 1,200 affected families need immediate food assistance along the rivers Beni, Madre Dios, and Orthon in rural areas.  This figure might grow to 1,800 families, according to Emergency Operations Centre.  In Beni, 4,600 families have been affected by the floods and have lost their homes or agricultural plots or are still in areas at risk of being inundated since rains will continue for the next two weeks.  According to official information, 2,397 families in Santa Cruz Department are receiving assistance in 18 shelters.

The Civil Defence, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Bolivian Red Cross have distributed food and relief items to 1,800 families in Beni.  The WFP will work together with local partners for further distribution of food as required.  Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in coordination with the Government and non-governmental organizations, is providing schooling support for children at the San Julian shelters.  Immediate support is also required to prevent the spread of diseases due to contaminated water and vector-borne diseases.

In January, intensive rainfall caused severe floods and flash floods in several parts of the country.  January rainfall over most of northern Bolivia regions by far exceeded the historical average.  As a result, the highlands and most of the rivers of the Amazon basin overflowed.  On 27 January, the Government of Bolivia issued Supreme Decree No. 28610 declaring a national emergency and authorizing the Bolivian authorities to appeal for international assistance.

For further information, please call:  Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, tel: +1 917 367 5126, mobile: +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, tel: +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, tel: +41 22 917 2653, mobile: +41 79 473 4570.

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For information media • not an official record