Bolivia: Floods OCHA Situation Report No. 7

This situation report is based on information received from the Office of the Resident Coordinator, UN Agencies, the Bolivian Government, the UN Emergency Technical Team (UNETT) in Bolivia and OCHA Regional Office in Panama.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Currently, the department of Beni is the most affected.
- The floods claimed 48 lives and affected more than 41,559 families.
- A Flash Appeal will be prepared in view of the deterioration of the situation.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

1. Since November 2007, several parts of Bolivia have been affected by floods and further heavy rains are expected. According to the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense, there have been 48 deaths, 6 persons missing and more than 41,559 families affected as a result of the disaster. Currently, affected area is the Department of Beni. Number of affected families by Department (as of February 7, 2008)

2. In the department of Beni, two rivers have overflowed their banks and threaten to isolate the region's capital city, Trinidad. The area is expected to experience 9 days of scattered showers - beginning on February 7. The rains could aggravate the situation by increasing the river levels and causing the overflow of the Trinidad levee.