Bolivia declares a national emergency as heavy rains cause 51 deaths and affect 378,885 families. Floods and landslides devastate homes, crops, and infrastructure. Read the latest updates on relief efforts and crisis response.

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Bolivia Rainy Season Crisis: 49 Dead, Thousands Affected, and Urgent Need for Aid

Bolivia’s National Emergency Declared After Catastrophic Floods

Bolivian President Luis Arce declared a “national emergency” on Wednesday in response to the devastating rains that have battered the country since November, resulting in a tragic death toll of 51 and affecting approximately 378,885 families due to floods and landslides. Arce emphasized that this situation has not been seen in over four decades, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

The declaration will allow the government to carry out “exceptional purchases,” secure external funding, and mobilize technical, logistical, and financial resources in the hardest-hit areas. So far, 209 of the country’s more than 300 municipalities have been struck by severe weather, damaging 2,506 homes and destroying 818, in addition to impacting several educational centers in the Beni department.

Government Mobilizes Emergency Aid for Disaster Zones

The effects of the rains have been widespread, affecting all nine of Bolivia’s departments, with Beni being the hardest hit and declared a “disaster” zone. “Emergency” declarations have also been issued for Chuquisaca, La Paz, and Santa Cruz.

In response to the crisis, over 4,000 military personnel have been deployed to the most affected areas, and 234 tons of humanitarian aid have been distributed.

Widespread Damage: Homes, Crops, and Infrastructure Destroyed

The rains have caused havoc in multiple regions. In La Paz, overflowing rivers and landslides have severely damaged numerous homes. Indigenous communities in the highlands report floods that have devastated potato and quinoa crops, as well as the loss of camelid livestock. In the Amazon, more than 2,000 families are facing floods due to the overflowing Beni River, forcing them to travel by boat and set up makeshift camps along roadsides.

The crisis has also led to drinking water shortages in the Amazon due to contaminated communal wells and the destruction of essential crops such as corn, cassava, plantains, and rice. Additionally, roads and bridges have suffered significant damage, further complicating the situation in key regions like La Paz and Cochabamba.

Military Deployed as Rains Continue into April

To mitigate the effects of this emergency, the Senate approved a $75 million loan from the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean last week. However, rains are expected to continue until early April, keeping several regions on red alert for additional flooding risks.

The government has called for an extraordinary meeting of the National Autonomies Council next Monday in La Paz to coordinate actions between governors and regional authorities in response to this severe crisis. The situation remains critical as the country faces one of the most severe natural disasters in its recent history.

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