American Red Cross aids Venezuela flood victims

Written by Mason Anderson, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
While several mountainous areas of Venezuela endure the annual hardships of devastating flooding, residents in the flat, low-lying state of Apure in the southwest region of the country usually remain unscathed. However, that wasn't the case this year. During the months of June and July, floodwaters tore through the area, killing four people and affecting some 55,000 others.

Throughout the latter half of June, heavy downpours pounded Apure, saturating grounds and leaving residents warily eyeing the swelling Sarare River that had begun seeping over its banks. Between July 18 and 20, matters intensified dramatically when torrential rains pounded the region for three straight days, causing the river to break through levies and sending floodwaters gushing through 34 towns.

The American Red Cross is working in close coordination with the Venezuelan Red Cross to bring immediate relief to those affected and ward off the impending threat of water born diseases.

The Venezuelan Red Cross quickly responded and mobilized a team of more than 30 volunteers to provide first aid and general health services. Volunteers also distributed food, water and blankets while disaster response specialists assessed the damages in the area, particularly in the hardest-hit town Guasdualito, where some 35,000 people were affected.

The damage assessment experts were joined by delegates from the American Red Cross, who determined that water and sanitation were the most pressing needs. Based on the evaluation, the U.S. Embassy granted the American Red Cross a $50,000 grant for a joint American Red Cross/Venezuela Red Cross disaster relief effort.

One of the primary needs the grant will fund is potable water. "The flooding caused substantial damages to the water treatment plant and distribution system," said Hortensia Vidauri, an American Red Cross delegate in Venezuela. "About 40 to 50 percent of the water pipelines have been damaged, and it's going to take a long time to fix them. In the meantime, we need to make sure they have safe water to drink and use. Plus the sanitation plant is underwater, so there is a great need there as well."

As the Venezuelan military continued to pump high water out of homes, the looming threat of disease has many health officials concerned. Most troubling are the small pools of stagnant water that could serve as a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

"There have been several cases of diarrhea, scabies and conjunctivitis, and they are saying it could get worse since water-borne diseases such as dengue usually don't develop for seven to nine days after serious flooding," said Vidauri.

Making matters worse, many residents in Guasdualito, fearing looters, are refusing to evacuate the town and are living on rooftops to protect their belongings. Health officials fear the exposure will leave such people vulnerable to disease-bearing mosquitoes. To help prevent the spread of disease, volunteers are distributing clean water, hygiene kits, water containers and chlorine tablets throughout the affected region.

Red Cross Disaster Training Prepared Volunteers

The American Red Cross has a strong presence in Venezuela, stemming back to the devastating floods of 1999 that claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people.

Delegates from the American Red Cross were quickly dispatched to assist in the recovery effort, during which it was clear that the Venezuelan Red Cross was in need of an improved disaster response system. Since that time, American Red Cross delegates have trained Venezuelan Red Cross volunteers in disaster preparedness and response and helped them build their own disaster response program.

"The Venezuelan Red Cross' response was the quickest and most organized of all the local relief efforts," said Vidauri. "We've been training them for disasters like this, and their response shows how much we've helped."

You can help those affected by this crisis and countless others around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.