Alert

08/2008 - Bolivia

Floods and landslides in Bolivia

Geneva, 28 January 2008

Continuous heavy rains in Bolivia since the end of November 2007 have resulted in floods and landslides affecting nine departments in the country. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on January 26, 2008 that some 24,430 families were affected in both rural and urban areas.

The government has declared a state of emergency and made a request for international aid. The homes of about 13,000 families were destroyed, as well as 10,000 hectares of rice, potatoes, corn, wheat and quinoa (type of cereal). Banana plantations, vegetable gardens and livestock were also affected.

The health situation has worsened with cases of bronco-pneumonia reported in the mountainous and high plane areas, as well as cases of dengue fever in the tropical areas. The government has delivered food and medicine to the most affected population.

ACT International members present in the country, the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia (IEMB) and Lutheran World Relief (LWR), are currently assessing the damage and needs of affected families. LWR has implementing partners working in the departments of Potosí and Chuquisaca. IEMB works in coordination with their local congregations in various provinces of the La Paz Department.

Since rains have been predicted to last until March 2008, it is likely that already vulnerable rural families may suffer significant losses in terms of food and income. Rural migrant families, many who live in suburb areas in poorly built houses, are amongst the hardest hit population.

ACT members are coordinating with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bolivia (IELB). Future interventions could likely include the rehabilitation of homes, water supplies and agriculture. ACT members are considering plans to submit an ACT appeal to the ACT Coordinating Office (CO).

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.