Disastrous weather including heavy rains, frost, hail and snow has created a humanitarian emergency throughout the South American country of Bolivia. CARE is responding in the areas worst-hit by the crisis, delivering food, repairing water and sanitation facilities and helping to protect displaced women and children from abuse and exploitation.
Background
In late January and early February 2006, extreme weather throughout Bolivia drove thousands of people from their homes. The crisis is now affecting more than 220,000 people, and more rain is expected in the coming weeks. The flooding, landslides and frost have destroyed houses, crops and livestock, and many Bolivians urgently need help regaining their livelihoods and rebuilding their homes. Thousands of families are now surviving in makeshift camps. The camps have little security, and women and children are at risk of abuse, trafficking and sexual exploitation.
CARE's Work
CARE is responding in three of the areas most affected by the disaster.
- The lowland area of Santa Cruz is the worst-hit by the crisis. Widespread flooding has caused the evacuation of over 18,000 people, more than half of whom are now living in temporary camps. CARE is working in these camps, improving access to clean water and sanitation and working with local organizations to protect women and children in the camps from abuse and exploitation.
- Communities in the Potosi region, in the Bolivian highlands, are suffering from the loss of crops and farmland. CARE's response combines immediate food assistance with seeds, tools and training to help farmers re-establish their crops. CARE programs in the region are also helping to prevent the exploitation of women and children and providing needed medicine and health services.
- In Pando, in the Amazon basin, rising water levels have flooded communities up to two miles away from the major rivers. CARE is providing food assistance, helping to re-establish food production and providing emergency water and sanitation support.
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Slideshow: CARE Responds to Bolivian Floods
Reina and her family live in the village of Florida in the Pando region of Bolivia. Their house was flooded by the nearby river and they have lost their crops and livestock. (CARE photo)
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Asunta, a widow, holds a blanket provided by CARE in a camp in San Julian. CARE is providing tents and supplies for people driven from their homes by severe flooding. (CARE photo)
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