CERF allocates $2.5 million for humanitarian response in Bolivia

1 March 2010: CERF has allocated $2.5 million for humanitarian response efforts that will assist 15,300 families in Bolivia.

Some $1.1 million will go to the World Food Programme (WFP) for food assistance to 15,300 families affected by floods. More than $475,000 has been allocated to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for water and hygiene supplies for 5,000 families, nutrition for 5,000 infants, and protection of 7,500 school children in the flooded areas. Some $388,000 will go to the International Organization of Migration (IOM) for emergency shelter assistance for 1,550 displaced families. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will receive $280,000 to rescue cattle from flooded areas for 7,500 small farmers. The World Health Organization (WHO) will use $123,000 for the prevention of illness and spread of disease among 7,500 people. Finally, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will use $115,000 to provide sexual and reproductive health services for 3,000 families affected by flooding.

Since October 2009, Bolivia has been affected by drought and flooding caused by El Niño. According to Civil Defense authorities, approximately 40,000 families have been affected so far. Some 250 families have been displaced by landslides in La Paz. Rural areas, subsistence farmers, indigenous populations, poor peri-urban and female headed households have been most vulnerable to the negative impacts of these climatic events. Acute malnutrition among children under 5 in the affected area is prevalent (4.3%). More than half of the children under 5 suffered from anemia and 80 percent have Vitamin A deficiency. Some 20 percent of food insecure families have had their access to food further reduced.