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USAID Information:
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USAID Provides Flood Assistance to Bolivia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
WASHINGTON, DC - The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide $100,000 to non-governmental organizations, including Adventist Development and Relief Agency, for the purchase and distribution of emergency relief supplies to the Bolivians affected by recent floods. Additionally, a seven-person USAID team is now on the ground in Bolivia, assessing humanitarian conditions, providing regular updates and coordinating assistance with the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, USAID/Bolivia and government of Bolivia officials.
Since November heavy rains have intensified, causing flooding in at least seven of Bolivia's nine departments. According to the U.S. Embassy and the Government of Bolivia (GOB), the floods and rains have affected nearly 25,000 families, causing 30 deaths and leaving 6 people missing. Rising waters of the Ichilo and Grande rivers in Santa Cruz Department and the Bermejo River in Tarija Department have obstructed roads, destroyed houses and crops and led to evacuations, according to the GOB. Heavy rains are forecast to continue in northern Bolivia through Feb. 4.
The U.S. Government stands ready to further assist the people of Bolivia should it be necessary.
This emergency assistance is in addition to the $89.1 million that USAID will use to carry out democracy, human rights, health, economic growth, alternative development, and environmental programs in Bolivia during fiscal year 2008.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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