The Federation's mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and its millions of volunteers are active in 185 countries.
In Brief
This Bulletin is being issued for information only, and reflects the situation and the information available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation at this time.
The International Federation undertakes activities that are aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four broad goals to achieve the Federation's mission to "improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
- Reduce the number of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters.
- Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies.
- Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability.
- Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion and promote respect for diversity and human dignity.
The Situation / Red Cross action
A number of emergencies have arisen across South America since the start of the year. Most of these are linked to the onset of the rainy season, which lasts until May. So far heavy rains have affected Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Peru causing floods and landslides. Emergencies of a different nature have also occurred in January. In Chile, a seismic wave is being monitored in the south of the country. In Paraguay, a health emergency has hit the country in the form of a dengue outbreak affecting several provinces. Although not all countries in the region are mentioned in this bulletin, the emergencies reported are those which have had a significant impact. The following is an outline of the countries which have been affected since the beginning of the year.
Argentina
In Argentina, heavy rains and storms have been registered in the north of the country in the Provinces of Tucuman, Santiago del Estero and Salta. In two days, 200 mm of rain were registered, the average for the entire month of January. The ground has been saturated and river levels have increased rapidly causing riverside flooding. The heavy rains have caused five fatalities, the evacuation of 5,000 people (of which 200 remain evacuated) and 60,000 people have been affected. Material damage has been caused by the emergency as people have lost homes, electricity was temporarily cut off, bridges were destroyed and livestock has been lost. Soy and strawberry plantations have also been affected. Economic losses are calculated at USD 30 million (some CHF 37, 3 million). As regards health, increased cases of colds, influenza and diarrhoea have been registered so far.
The Argentine Red Cross is working through its branches and carrying out local appeals and distributing humanitarian aid. In the city of Tucuman, a National Intervention Team is working on the evaluation and formulation of a Plan of Action focusing on recuperation and post emergency needs. Information and resources are also being exchanged with organizations and agencies such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Action against Hunger, Save the Children, Caritas and the Argentine Ministry of Social Development to identify joint and complementary actions.
Bolivia
Torrential rains in Bolivia over the last few months have caused floods affecting communities in seven out of nine departments, causing the loss of eight lives and affecting over 14,978 families, according to the Bolivian Civil Defence. The departments affected are Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, La Paz, Potosi, Chuquisaca, Tarija and Beni. This prompted the Government to declare a National State of Emergency on 18 January and to distribute aid to those affected. The floods have led to economic losses as crops have been destroyed and roads have been damaged, the total sum of which is yet to be calculated. Last week, strong winds and an electric storm seriously damaged 50 precarious homes and affected at least 75 rural families. Forecasts predict that rains will intensify in the coming months.
The National Disaster Relief Unit of the Bolivian Red Cross has sent a communication to all departmental and provincial branches to continue monitoring and evaluating the impacts of the heavy rain. The branches in Cochabamba, Tarija, Potosi, La Paz, Chuquisaca and Santa Cruz are participating in the departmental Emergency Operating Committees' meetings to coordinate activities. On 24 January, the branch of Tarija in coordination with the local mayor and television channel 9, organized the collection and distribution of humanitarian aid to communities affected by the rains in the region of El Puente. The National Society is coordinating with United Nations agencies, who have requested the Civil Defence to set up a dialogue of donors and to share information on the needs of the families affected.
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
- In Peru: Giorgio Ferrario, Head of Lima Regional Delegation; email giorgio.ferrario@ifrc.org , phone (511) 221-8151, fax (511) 441- 3607
- In Geneva: Olaug Bergseth, Federation Regional Officer, Americas Department, Geneva; email: olaug.bergseth@ifrc.org , phone (41 22) 730-4535, fax (41 22) 730-0395
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster Relief and is committed to the Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response (Sphere) in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
For longer-term programmes in this or other countries or regions, please refer to the Federation's Annual Appeal. For support to or for further information concerning Federation programmes or operations in this or other countries, or for national society profiles, please also access the Federation's website at http://www.ifrc.org