Rapid Response Payment Request No. 09/08

Funds Sent To: Lutheran World Relief

Amount Sent: US$ 46,070

Date: 19 February 2008

Details of Response

Emergency: Floods in Bolivia

Date of Emergency: Ongoing since January 2008

Implementing Members: Lutheran World Relief (LWR) and the Evangelical Lutheran Methodist Church in Bolivia (IEMB).

Lutheran World Relief (LWR) as a member of the ACT Forum in Bolivia, will implement the Rapid Response fund in the municipality of Tacobamba, department of Potosí, through its implementing partner Fundación Intercultural NOR SUD, a non profit, private organization founded in 1992 and focusing on rural development. During the past three years, Foundation NOR SUD has been working with LWF on sustainable food diversification for Quechua families in six communities of the municipality of Tacobamba. The organization counts with experienced agronomists, sociologists and economists.

The Evangelical Lutheran Methodist Church in Bolivia (IEMB), also member of the ACT Forum in Bolivia will implement activities in coordination with the Secretary of Services, Pastors, leaders and local authorities of different municipalities and districts in the departments of Beni and Potosí.

Details of the Emergency:

On 24 January, the Bolivian Government declared a state of National Emergency as a consequence to the constant and heavy rains produced by the "La Niña" phenomenon. The rains caused flooding in the nine departments of Bolivia resulting in the loss of human lives, crops and animals. This weather began in December 2007, and reached a peak in January 2008. On 12 February, the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, declared a State of National Disaster, asking for international humanitarian assistance.

On 14 February 2008, OCHA reported 55,649 affected families, 469 damaged and 108 destroyed houses, 52 deaths, 8 people missing and 108 hectares damaged. The Vice Minister of Civil Defence reports that the Bolivian government has only been able to respond to the needs of 35,647 families.

Damage

In Tacobamba

More than 5,500 families have been affected in the department of Potosí, one of LWR priority area for work. The municipality of Tacobamba has been one of the area most severely affected by the constant rains, hailstorms, and flooding. It is also one of the poorest in Bolivia and has a mountainous topography which limits its road access.

LWR identified 440 families (1,760 people) that have lost their crops, the latter including: 36.4 hectares of potato, 76.6 hectares of corn, 21.6 hectares of wheat, 11 hectares of broad beans and 13 hectares of peas. In addition, 176 hectares were inundated, making them unsuitable for agricultural production. 90% of the food reserves (corn, wheat, broad beans and peas) were lost by fungus contamination and putrefaction due to the high level of humidity. As a result, these 440 families are left without food for their consumption and at risk of loosing their livelihoods. Women and children are particularly exposed to illnesses and malnourishment.

Infrastructure was also affected with over 80% of the rural roads blocked due to mudslides, making access to the communities difficult. 35 houses have been destroyed, as well as water tanks and irrigation channels used for agricultural production. Livestock loss is increasing due to below freezing temperatures (-7°C) affecting the pasture grasses and the health of the surviving sheep.

The municipal authorities delivered food aid, however, the amount of foods is not enough to cover the needs of the population throughout the country. In Tacobamba, the population received a three weeks ration that is now running out.

In the IEMB action zone

In the department of Beni (Amazonian region in northwestern Bolivia), the La Niña phenomenon greatly affected the food security of 11,800 families. In addition, the population risks pulmonary illnesses and contagious diseases incl. severe diarrhea. More than 1500 people had to be evacuated to the department of Santa Cruz. Cattle was brought higher to prevent them from drowning. It is estimated that more than three million hectares are covered with water, resulting in loss of pasture and agricultural infrastructure.

In the Department of Potosí, the rains, hailstorms and freezes have resulted in the loss of various crops such as potato, broad bean, garlic, and wheat. This is the second consecutive year of crop loss and a significant increase in the levels of malnourishment is expected, as well as a sharp increase in the cost of the food basket.

IEMB has identified 770 families without sufficient food supplies and pasture for their livestock in the department of Beni and Potosí. As a result, heads of families are migrating to other cities in the search for food, a situation that is raising the vulnerability of women and children.

Proposed assistance

Goal: to cover the food shortage created by the La Niña phenomenon in the area where the ACT Forum in Bolivia is working. A total of 1,210 families will benefit from the project.

Objective for LWR: Provide basic food relief to 440 families affected by the La Niña phenomenon in 6 communities of the region of Juruna, in the Municipality of Tacobamba, department of Potosí.

Objective for IEMB: Provide relief supplies and medication to 770 affected families in the departments of Beni and Potosí.

In addition, the ACT Forum in Bolivia will present an appeal to address the needs of the targeted families for agriculture and infrastructure rehabilitation.

BENEFICIARIES AND LOCATION

The LWR intervention will address the needs of 440 families, or 1,760 people (625 men, 598 women and 537 children) in six communities: Tirina, Smanchaca, Huerta Mayu, Juruna, Huanichuru Alto, and Haunichuru Bajo. This represents 80% of the total families affected by this emergency in the sub central region of Juruna.

IEMB will provide assistance to 770 families located in 13 communities: Rurrenavaque, Sapecho, Palos Blancos, Nucleo 28, and Villa Ingavi (Beni); and Chiracoro, Pampoyo, Iscu Iscu, Ingenio, Potosí, Condoriri, Cachitambo and Yocalla (Potosí). Families are selected according to the loss of stored food, cultivated land and their property such as houses, clothes, animals. Another criteria is the lack of alternative income and financial resources to help them cope with this food crisis.

Communities and families / municipality and department for IEMB:

Dept. / Municipality / No of affected families / No. of Communities / Events / Crops hardest hit

BENI / Rurrenavaque / 427 / 5 / Flooding and flash floods / Rice, cassava, vegetables, fruit, and grasslands

BENI / Palos Blanco / 120 / 2 / Flooding / Rice, cocoa and citrus

POTOSI / Yocalla / 223 / 6 / Hailstorms, frost and floods / Potato, beans, barley, corn, peas

TOTAL No. of communities affected: 770

TOTAL No. of communities: 13

METHODOLOGY

LWR will work through its local implementing partner, Foundation NOR SUD, in coordination with the municipal authorities, the municipal health center, and the District Board of Education. The following activities are planned:

• Create 6 Support Committees, each with 5 members coming from the community who will work with local community leaders to purchase and distribute the food.

• Purchase food relief: 100 qq of flour, 100 qq of sugar, 10 qq of powdered milk, 57 qq of oats, 86 qq of spaghetti, 100 qq of quinoa, 57 qq of lentils, and 880 liters of cooking fuel.

• Transport and distribute the food in 6 communities of the region of Juruna, to benefit 440 families. The food will be divided equally between the families since they are similar in size (average of 5-6 children per family) and have all been severely affected. See Table 1. The food distribution will be done by the Support Committees in coordination with the municipal authorities, the municipal health center, the District Board of Education, and technical staff of the Foundation NOR SUD.

Table 1. distribution of food for families:

Items / No of affected families / Units / Food total / Food per family

Wheat flour / 440 / Kg. / 4600 / 10,5

Sugar / 440 / Kg. / 4600 / 10,5

Powdered milk / 440 / Kg. / 460 / 1

Oats / 440 / Kg. / 2622 / 6

Rice / 440 / Kg. / 3956 / 9

Quinoa / 440 / Kg. / 4600 / 10,5

Spaghetti / 440 / Kg. / 3956 / 9

Lentils / 440 / Kg. / 2622 / 6

Oil / 440 / Litres / 880 / 2

• Provide training in water purification, hygiene, and nutrition. This activity will be implemented through a part-time technician, as part of the technical assistance given to the community.

• Evaluate the process to capture the lessons learnt.

LWR, through the LWR program manager, oversees the monitoring of the activities involving humanitarian aid, including food distribution, in coordination with the head of projects of the Foundation NOR SUD, the technician and the two standing LWR technicians of the project that LWR supports. Regarding the narrative and financial report, Foundation NOR SUD will provide them with the support of LWR in Bolivia. Once reviewed by the LWR program manager, they will be submitted to the office of Baltimore for translation and submission to the ACT CO in Geneva.

The IEMB, through its Department for Rural Development (DRD), and the hired technical coordinator, in coordination with the districts authorities such as Coordinators, Service Secretaries, Pastors, and community leaders will conduct the following activities:

• A work team, composed of the IEMB staff and community representative, will purchase and distribute the relief items. The purchase of the relief supplies will take place in each of the appropriate departments to reduce the costs, with the exception of some medical supplies.

• At the same time, an assessment will be realized to determine the families most in need.

• Transport and distribute food relief and supplies to 770 families in 13 communities. The IEMB will provide the vehicle for distribution of the supplies. The RRF will allow the purchase of fuel for travelling to the affected area. Each beneficiary family will receive the following: 10 kg of sugar; 4 liters of oil; 5 kg of rice; 3,5 kg. of beans; 3.5 kg. of lentils ; 3 Kg quinoa.

• Supply basic medicines such as Ibuprofen and paracetamol according to the needs of the affected families.

A technician will participate in the project implementation, monitoring and evaluation. He will complete the financial and narrative reports and participate in writing the proposal for the rehabilitation part. The work will be supervised by the coordinator of the IEMB Department of Rural Development who will be directly responsible for sending reports to the ACT CO.

Once the application is approved and the funds transferred by the ACT CO to LWR in Baltimore, LWR will immediately transfer the funds to the accounts of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Bolivia and Foundation NOR SUD. An agreement will be signed with LWR and Foundation NOR SUD specifying the purpose of the donation and LWR discharge.

BUDGET - TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE: US$ 46,070

(For the full budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 46,070 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment. Should there be an appeal for this emergency, the RRF payment will be considered as an advance.

(ends)

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.