Floods displace thousands in Bolivia
Rains in Bolivia are not expected to cease until the end of March.
PHOTO: Plan staff
February 15, 2008
Plan has released US$20,000 to help victims of intense flooding in Bolivia which has already affected more than 60,000 families.
Caused by the 'La Nina' climate phenomenon, the floods have damaged 469 homes, destroyed 108 and flooded over 59,000 acres of crops.
In Plan areas 2,500 families are at risk of further flooding. While, so far, no deaths have been reported in our communities, 60 people outside Plan areas have died.
The rain is expected to continue through to March with river levels estimated to rise three feet above last year’s recorded level.
Many people living near rivers have been isolated by road closures and in some areas have suffered dangerous landslides which have destroyed housing.
Plan areas and districts affected and their needs
Santa Cruz — The homes of 1,619 Plan families have been flooded, with 10,310 affected in total. Here 79 percent of roads are affected with most impassable, and vast areas of farmland are now under water. A number of communities have been moved to special shelters and camps where the World Food Program is providing meals.
Chuquisaca — 488 Plan families are affected, with a total of 4,272 families facing difficulties. Families are being supplied with three-months worth of food. Those living in the rural areas are particularly in need: around 2,500 hectares of farmland has been damaged and homes have been swept away. In the Zudanez province, hailstorms, flash floods, severe floods, freezing temperatures and animal plagues have caused devastation among communities.
Potosi — 711 Plan families have been affected by flooding, with 2,426 in total. The main priority here is supplying three-months worth of food. Hailstorms and heavy rains have destroyed agricultural land.
Tarija — 17 Plan families have been affected by flooding, with 766 in total. Damage has been caused to homes and communities here after the Pilcomayo River overflowed. Currently 4,000 people are isolated in the north-east part of the area.
In other departments, 9,718 people have been flooded out of their homes in Beni, where the government has declared a state of emergency; 9,325 have been flooded out in Cochabamba and 3,844 in La Paz.
How are your donations helping?
Money will go toward food, with pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five-years old treated as priorities. Mattresses, blankets, clothing, treated mosquito nets, school materials, hygiene kits, water tanks and medical attention are also all urgent needs.
Donate today to Plan’s Disaster Fund to help provide urgently-needed emergency assistance to families affected by disasters and crisis, such as the devastating flooding in Bolivia.
Learn more about Plan's work in Bolivia.
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Caused by the 'La Nina' climate phenomenon, the floods have damaged 469 homes, destroyed 108 and flooded over 59,000 acres of crops.
In Plan areas 2,500 families are at risk of further flooding. While, so far, no deaths have been reported in our communities, 60 people outside Plan areas have died.
The rain is expected to continue through to March with river levels estimated to rise three feet above last year’s recorded level.
Many people living near rivers have been isolated by road closures and in some areas have suffered dangerous landslides which have destroyed housing.
Plan areas and districts affected and their needs
Santa Cruz — The homes of 1,619 Plan families have been flooded, with 10,310 affected in total. Here 79 percent of roads are affected with most impassable, and vast areas of farmland are now under water. A number of communities have been moved to special shelters and camps where the World Food Program is providing meals.
Chuquisaca — 488 Plan families are affected, with a total of 4,272 families facing difficulties. Families are being supplied with three-months worth of food. Those living in the rural areas are particularly in need: around 2,500 hectares of farmland has been damaged and homes have been swept away. In the Zudanez province, hailstorms, flash floods, severe floods, freezing temperatures and animal plagues have caused devastation among communities.
Potosi — 711 Plan families have been affected by flooding, with 2,426 in total. The main priority here is supplying three-months worth of food. Hailstorms and heavy rains have destroyed agricultural land.
Tarija — 17 Plan families have been affected by flooding, with 766 in total. Damage has been caused to homes and communities here after the Pilcomayo River overflowed. Currently 4,000 people are isolated in the north-east part of the area.
In other departments, 9,718 people have been flooded out of their homes in Beni, where the government has declared a state of emergency; 9,325 have been flooded out in Cochabamba and 3,844 in La Paz.
How are your donations helping?
Money will go toward food, with pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five-years old treated as priorities. Mattresses, blankets, clothing, treated mosquito nets, school materials, hygiene kits, water tanks and medical attention are also all urgent needs.
Donate today to Plan’s Disaster Fund to help provide urgently-needed emergency assistance to families affected by disasters and crisis, such as the devastating flooding in Bolivia.
Learn more about Plan's work in Bolivia.
Back to top
