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Bolivia

Six departments of Bolivia declared emergency status

By: David Dickler, Communications Officer, World Vision Bolivia

Current Situation

The Bolivian government has confirmed the emergency status in six departments of the country because of droughts. The emergency declared departments are: In the Bolivian Chaco desert ( Tarija, Chuquisaca and the Cordillera Province in Santa Cruz) and the Altiplano (La Paz, Oruro and Potosi)

Due to the extreme shortage of water at the Cordillera Province, the departmental government and the municipalities of the Machareti and Gutierrez Provinces (Boyuibe, Cuevo and Camiri) had to distribute water in tanks to prevent the lack of this element. The situation at the Cordillera Province is the most critical because around 2.800 families are suffering from lack of rains and the death of their live stock. According to The National Meteorology and Hydrology Service (SENAMHI), the rain deficits will last until mid December.

The temperatures have hit new records at Villamontes, Cobija and Bermejo, reaching 49 ºC in some regions. At the Altiplano region, North Potosi has reported temperatures of 24 ºC.

- Municipalities affected by Region: 48, 13 in El Chaco and 33 In El Altiplano

- Fires caused by the heath: 2, 1 in Charagua, 1 in Yacuiba

- Affected families: 5.300 at a national level, 2.800 in El Chaco, 2.500 in El Altiplano

- Dead Livestock: 5.000, 3.200 in El Chaco and 1.800 in El Altiplano (Cattle, sheep and Lamas.

Actions Taken

A commission formed by government, department, affected municipalities, Humanitarian NGO's (amongst whom WV Bolivia is included), and the United Nations representatives, has assessed the damages at the emergency site. The Chaco and Altiplano regions are preparing a joint response to resolve the necessities of water provision and food security for the families and livestock.

A remote detection system of heat pockets installed by the Fiscal Authority and Social Land and Forestall Control (ABT) has detected, to the moment, 949 hot pockets at a national scale. This numbers are very similar to the ones registered in October that were provoked principally by the droughts affecting a big portion of the national territory.

The National Council for the Reduction of Threats and the Attention to Disasters and Emergencies - CONARDE has requested the financial support from international cooperation agencies to attend the droughts at the Chaco and Altiplano regions.

Actions Taken by WV Bolivia

- Rapid Response teams have been activated

- Evaluation of the damage and assessment on the needs of the most affected communities

- Follow up and monitoring of the drought situation in areas of action of WV Bolivia and at a national level.

- Coordination with the National and departmental COE (Emergency Operative Commission).

Needs and Requests

- Water provision though water tanks

- Cans to store water

- Food for 5.200 families

- Straw for livestock

- Light Clothes: long sleeve shirts, sun glasses, caps, footwear

- Basic medical supplies to attend dermatologic and ophthalmologic needs

Contact Information

Nancy Gutiérrez
HA Manager
Mobile (+591) 715 23576
E- mail: nancy_gutierrez@wvi.org

Andrés Vera
Communications Manager
Mobile (+591) 715 59476
E- mail: andres_vera@wvi.org