For further information, contact Maurice Herson in the Emergencies Department.

[ Telephone 01865 312540; e-mail mherson@oxfam.org.uk ]

Peru / Bolivia

Floods affecting these two countries, as well as the contiguous far western Amazon area of Brazil, have exacerbated as a result of very high rainfall in the first three months of this year. In Bolivia they are reported to be the worst floods for over 50 years,

1. Since the beginning of March, abnormal rains have been affecting a vast part of Ecuador, causing serious flooding in ten provinces (out of a total of 21). Record high precipitation levels have been registered in Manta, Guayaquil, Machala and other cities. According to weather forecasting services, high precipitation levels will continue during the next 10 days.

2. Most severely affected provinces along the coast are: Esmeraldas, Manabi, Guayas, and El Oro. 80 per cent of the city of Guayaquil (pop. 2 million) was last Wednesday under 2 to 5 feet

2. For coordination purposes, donors are requested to inform DHA-Geneva, as indicated below, of bilateral relief missions/pledges/contributions and their corresponding value by item.

3. Final list of contributions reported to DHA for this emergency:

From P. Ares, Chief, Programming Service. Available on the Internet at WFP Home Page http://www.wfp.org/ or by e-mail
from HicksDeb@wfp.org (fax 39 6 5228 2837). For information regarding resources, donors are requested to contact Mr. F.
Strippoli or Ms. A. Blum, WFP Rome (telephone 39 6 5228 2504 or 5228 2004).

PART I - HIGHLIGHTS

(Details below in Part II)