Bolivian Floods Displace Thousands and Kill Over 50

With floods killing over 50 people and displacing thousands more in all nine regions, Bolivia has declared a state of emergency.

After devastating flooding and torrential rains that have killed over 50 people and displaced over 100,000 more throughout the nation, Bolivian President Luis Arce has proclaimed a national emergency.

All nine departmental regions in Bolivia have been impacted by the intense rains; three are under a state of emergency and one has been declared a disaster zone.

“We are being forced to declare a national emergency by these natural disasters,” Arce said during a press conference, adding that over 370,000 people had been affected. This year has experienced very heavy and protracted rainfall in Bolivia, which has a rainy season that runs from November to March.

Senamhi, Bolivia’s meteorological agency, said Lucia Walper said orange and red advisories for river overflows, which are normally issued in February, have been extended until April.

The government has consequently raised thousands of troops to deliver help to the impacted regions.

It is anticipated that Bolivia’s Congress would authorize a $75 million loan from the CAF Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean to support humanitarian efforts in response to the current crisis. Additionally, the state of emergency will allow the government to provide more resources to impacted localities and expedite the acquisition of necessary goods.

Authorities are still on high alert, warning residents in susceptible locations to take the appropriate precautions as the persistence of heavy rainfall presents further threats.