Paraguay: Floods - Emergency Appeal n° MDRPY016

This appeal seeks a total of 1.8 million Swiss francs to support the Paraguayan Red Cross to deliver assistance to some 22,500 people for 12 months.

The initial Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), allocated on 20 June 2014 assisted 10,000 people affected by floods (5,000 with water and sanitation and 5,000 with shelter needs). This appeal increases the targeted population to 22,500, assisting with water and sanitation and shelter needs, livelihoods restoration and disaster preparedness.

The disaster

• Heavy rains in March 2014 caused severe flooding affecting five departments in Paraguay.

• Approximately 231,360 people have been affected.

• A state of emergency has been declared by the Municipality of Asuncion.

• The National Emergency Secretariat requested water and sanitation and shelter support from the Paraguayan Red Cross.

• Several communities in the Chaco region are isolated, and access by road is extremely difficult.

• The situation is expected to worsen and it is anticipated that the displaced persons will remain in temporary shelters at least until the end of the year.