Plan has released US$20,000 to help victims of intense flooding in Bolivia which has already affected more than 60,000 families.

Caused by the 'La Nina' climate phenomenon, the floods have damaged 469 homes, destroyed 108 and flooded 24,000 hectares of crops.

In Plan areas 2500 families are at risk of further flooding and, so far, no deaths have been reported in our communities. However outside Plan areas 60 people have died.

The rain is expected to continue through to March with river levels estimated to rise by a metre above last year’s recorded level.

Many people living near rivers have been isolated by road closures and in some areas have suffered dangerous landslides which have destroyed housing.

Plan areas/districts affected and their needs:

Santa Cruz – 1,619 Plan families have been flooded., with 10,310 affected in total. Here 79% of roads are affected with most impassable, and vast areas of farmland is now under water. A number of communities have been moved to special shelters and camps where the World Food Programme is providing meals.

Chuquisaca – 488 Plan families affected – in total 4,272 are in difficulties. Here people are being supplied with three-months worth of food with people living in rural areas particularly in need. Around 2,500 hectares of farmland has been damaged and homes have been swept away. In the Zudanez province, hailstorms, flash flood, severe floods, freezing temperature and animal plagues have caused devastation among communities.

Potosi – 711 Plan families have been flooded, with 2,426 in total. The main priority here is supplying three-months worth of food. Hailstorms and heavy rains have destroyed agricultural land.

Tarija – 17 Plan families affected with 766 in total. Damage has been caused to homes and communities here after the Pilcomayo River overflowed. There are currently 4,000 people isolated in the north-east part of the area.

In other departments, 9,718 people have been flooded in Beni - where the government has declared a state of emergency, 9,325 in Cochabamba and 3,844 in La Paz.

The money will go towards food, with pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five-years old treated as a priority. Mattresses, blankets, clothing, treated mosquito nets, school materials, hygiene kits, water tanks and medical attention are also all urgent needs.