Bolivia Declares a State of Emergency Over Flood Disaster
- 13 years ago
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Bolivia declares state of emergency as flooding affects four provinces, killing at least three people. Buildings, roads and crops have been destroyed and thousands of people forced to evacuate their homes and towns.
Bolivia declares a state of emergency on Tuesday after flooding in four provinces led to the deaths of three people and prompted the government to give aid to around 6,000 affected families.
Water in rivers started to rise over the weekend after powerful storms dumped inches of rain driving people from their homes and washing out roads.
President Evo Morales' administration freed up $20 million for emergency rescues and assistance to flood victims.
[Ruben Saavedra, Bolivian Defense Minister]: (Spanish)
"(We've declared) a state of emergency on different levels in different areas of the country. Beginning with this declaration, the city, provincial and national government will be able to pay out money and have a budget to take care of this kind of natural disaster."
Civil defense officials report at least three people, and possibly as many as five, have died.
Thousands in Cochabamba were evacuated to schools and stadiums as over 50 homes were destroyed by water and mud.
Here in the town of Quillacollo, some reacted negatively to initial aid efforts.
[Unidentified Flood Victim]: (Spanish)
"For us, for the people affected, they haven't provided a bit of help, not on the river and not for here."
The flooding also destroyed soy, corn and wheat crops in the agricultural heartland of Santa Cruz.
One flood victim says "We've been like this for so long. We're living like ducks."
Many towns are inundated with standing water.
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Bolivia declares state of emergency as flooding affects four provinces, killing at least three people. Buildings, roads and crops have been destroyed and thousands of people forced to evacuate their homes and towns.
Bolivia declares a state of emergency on Tuesday after flooding in four provinces led to the deaths of three people and prompted the government to give aid to around 6,000 affected families.
Water in rivers started to rise over the weekend after powerful storms dumped inches of rain driving people from their homes and washing out roads.
President Evo Morales' administration freed up $20 million for emergency rescues and assistance to flood victims.
[Ruben Saavedra, Bolivian Defense Minister]: (Spanish)
"(We've declared) a state of emergency on different levels in different areas of the country. Beginning with this declaration, the city, provincial and national government will be able to pay out money and have a budget to take care of this kind of natural disaster."
Civil defense officials report at least three people, and possibly as many as five, have died.
Thousands in Cochabamba were evacuated to schools and stadiums as over 50 homes were destroyed by water and mud.
Here in the town of Quillacollo, some reacted negatively to initial aid efforts.
[Unidentified Flood Victim]: (Spanish)
"For us, for the people affected, they haven't provided a bit of help, not on the river and not for here."
The flooding also destroyed soy, corn and wheat crops in the agricultural heartland of Santa Cruz.
One flood victim says "We've been like this for so long. We're living like ducks."
Many towns are inundated with standing water.