DHA-GENEVA 94/0081
BOLIVIA - LANDSLIDES/FLOODS
DHA-GENEVA INFORMATION REPORT NO.1
22 MARCH 1994

SITUATION AND NEEDS

1. LANDSLIDES AND FLOODS FOLLOWING TORRENTIAL RAINS SINCE FEBRUARY HAVE CAUSED THE PROTRACTED ISOLATION OF HUNDREDS OF POOR RURAL COMMUNITIES IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF LA PAZ AND COCHABAMBA. ACCORDING TO THE BOLIVIAN RED CROSS, 33,000 FAMILIES ARE AFFECTED IN NINE PROVINCES OF LA PAZ DEPT (CARANARI, LARECAJA, NOR Y SUD-YUNGAS, J.M. PANDO, PACAJES, MUNECAS, VILLAROEL, CAMACHO AND LOAYZA) AND, TO A LESSER EXTENT, IN FIVE PROVINCES OF COCHAMBAMBA DEPT (CHAPARE, TIRAQUE, CARRASCO, CAMPERO AND AYOPAYA).

2. DUE TO THE DIFFICULTY OF ACCESS BY LAND, AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF THIS REGION (ESPECIALLY RICE BUT ALSO MANIOC COFFEE AND FRUIT) COULD NOT BE TRANSPORTED TO AREAS OF STOCKPILING AND SALE, DEPRIVING PEASANTS OF MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME. FOOD AND MEDICINES WHICH ARE USUALLY BROUGHT IN HAVE NOT REACHED THE AFFECTED AREAS, RESULTING IN HEAVY PRICE INCREASES FOR THE POPULATION WHICH ALREADY SUFFERS FROM CHRONIC MALNUTRITION. MALARIA AND GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES ARE ON THE INCREASE AND AN OUTBREAK OF YELLOW FEVER IS FEARED.

3. GOVT DECLARED AFFECTED PROVINCES OF LA PAZ DEPT DISASTER AREA AND FOCUSSING ON REHABILITATION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES. CIVIL DEFENSE AIRLIFTED SOME FOOD TO LOCAL AIRFIELD FOR DISTRIBUTION BY BOAT. LOCAL OFFICIALS AND RED CROSS UNDERTAKING ASSESSMENT OF NEEDS AND OTHER RELIEF WITH THE LIMITED RESOURCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL.

4. MAIN NEED IS FOR FOOD. TOOLS/EQUIPMENT FOR ROAD REPAIRS AND MEDICINES (INCLUDING ANTIBIOTICS AND ANTIMALARIA) ALSO REQUIRED. BOLIVIAN RED CROSS HAS APPEALED FOR USDOLLARS 250,000 FOR ONE-MONTH EMERGENCY RELIEF ASSISTANCE (FOOD FAMILY RATIONS, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS) TO 10,000 FAMILIES.

5. DHA IN CLOSE CONSULTATION ON THIS DISASTER WITH DHA/UNDP RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN LA PAZ, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES AND BOLIVIAN PERMANENT MISSION IN GENEVA. NO GOVERNMENTAL REQUEST FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED BY DHA SO FAR.

6. CONTRIBUTIONS

GOVERNMENTS
SPAIN	CASH FOR FOOD AND MEDICINES THROUGH EMBASSY	USD 60,000
UNITED STATES	10 MT OF FOOD	++
(++ VALUE NOT REPORTED TO DHA)

7. DONORS ARE REQUESTED TO INFORM DHA-GENEVA, AS INDICATED BELOW, OF BILATERAL RELIEF MISSIONS/PLEDGES/CONTRIBUTIONS AND THEIR CORRESPONDING VALUE BY ITEM.

DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS - GENEVA

TELEPHONE NO: +41-22-917-1234
EMERGENCY TEL. NO. (OUTSIDE WORKING HOURS): +41-22-917-2010

DESK OFFICER: FABRIZIO GENTILONI, DIRECT TEL: +41-22-917-3512

PRESS TO CONTACT: M. KHATIB, DIRECT TEL: +41-22-917-2856

TELEX: 414242 DHA CH
FAX: +41-22-917-0023
ELECTRONIC MAIL: DIALCOM 141: DHAGVA

DPR 310 BOL