Embassy Events

The United States Donates $170,000 for Relief Efforts

The U.S. government is responding to a plea by the Bolivian government to provide humanitarian assistance to the towns affected by the recent floods and has mobilized several agencies, such as the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), USAID, the Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS), and the Military Group of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz. This combined effort so far has been estimated at $170,000 and includes the provision of food, tents, emergency kits, and equipment; 14 helicopter over-flights and 4 truck deliveries that enabled Bolivian officials to perform reconnaissance trips and deliver supplies to affected areas; and temporary lodging for two flooded communities.

To date, the US Government Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has provided $105,000 to respond to the Bolivian government’s plea as follows:

• $65,000 in tents, hygiene kits, cook kits, mattresses and blankets for some 280 families in distress in several municipalities of Santa Cruz;
• The U.S. Embassy’s Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS), with $40,000 of OFDA funds, has transported supplies and Bolivian authorities to affected areas. There were 14 NAS-provided helicopter over-flights carried out by the Bolivian Red Devils unit and 4 Green Devil-driven truck deliveries of GOB supplies and boats to affected communities.

Also, the Integrated Alternative Development Office of the U.S. Government Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided $35,000 in disaster relief assistance to the community of Yapacani, which included tents, stoves, gas cylinders, pots and pans, mosquito nets, and backpacks, as well as the assistance of USAID-run Caminos Vecinales. Additionally, $30,000 worth of temporary housing will be provided to the communities of Puerto Cochabamba and Puerto Aurora.

The U.S. government is also supporting, through USAID’s Caminos Vecinales, the Bolivian government’s efforts to clear out the Cochabamba-Santa Cruz road at El Sillar, which was obstructed by massive landslides.