Bolivian church aids families affected by floods, landslides

Published: 2008-01-29

LA PAZ, Bolivia (CNS) -- Bolivia's Catholic Church is delivering humanitarian aid to some of the more than 30,000 families affected by flooding and landslides in heavy rains that have lashed the country since late December. The heavy rains have been attributed to La Nina, a cold current that often follows the warm El Nino current in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of South America. "Bolivia is in a difficult situation because of La Nina," said Hugo Perez, national director of the emergency department of Caritas, the church's humanitarian aid and development organization. Perez said nearly 40 people have been reported killed in the flooding, and more than 30,000 families lost their homes or suffered serious damage. Crop and livestock losses are still unknown, he said in late January, although some news reports have put the figure at about $30 million. Although January is part of the rainy season in Bolivia, the entire country has been hit by downpours that are heavier than normal. Hardest hit is the central department of Cochabamba, where about 20,000 families have been affected.

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