200,000 affected by flooding in Bolivia

(New York: 14 February 2007): As the number of people affected by severe flooding in Bolivia having risen by 25,000 in recent days, the United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners continue to work to support the Government of Bolivia in response to severe flooding in that country.

Overall, some 200,000 people have been affected by the flooding, which has damaged more than 70,000 hectares of cropland. Although the heavy rains have subsided in the hardest hit regions, and many evacuees have been able to return to their homes, approximately 16,700 people remain in 33 shelters in Santa Cruz, the most affected department.

The national Civil Defence is leading emergency response operations, in coordination with departmental authorities, Government and United Nations agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). A joint assessment by the Civil Defence, United Nations agencies and other partners indicates the following needs: food support for two months for nearly 8,500 families, and for eight to ten months for nearly 3,500 families; shelter materials for nearly 3,000 families; school materials for more than 13,500 schoolchildren; and psycho-social support for more than 6,700 children. Additionally, schools used as shelters need to be decontaminated and cleaned, water systems to be analysed and wells cleaned, and health kits and mosquito nets provided.

In terms of assistance delivered, the World Food Programme (WFP) has distributed food to more than 12,000 families, or 60,000 people, and is planning a rapid needs assessment in Beni province, where five rivers have overflowed their banks, including the Mamore, Secure, Isiboro, Beni and Maniqui rivers.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has made $30,000 available for water analysis and treatment activities, and for the construction of emergency latrines in shelters in Santa Cruz. The UNICEF has also provided expertise in the areas of water/sanitation, emergency management, and soil contamination and water supply. Additionally, 24,000 bags of nutritional biscuits have been ordered for distribution.

The World Health Organization (WHO)/Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has provided medicines and medical supplies used to treat those injured in the flooding and help prevent the spread of disease. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is sending a Regional Emergency Coordinator to support response in the agricultural sector.

Additional assistance has been made available by NGOs, including the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Plan International, World Vision, Save the Children, and Oxfam, as well as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Bolivian Red Cross. The United States, Japan and European Commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) have also provided assistance.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Kristen Knutson, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 9262; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.