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4 April 2001 by Rosa Boyan in Guanay Guanay is one of the regions in Bolivia which was most affected by the severe floods and landslides that hit Bolivia last January. 1,300 needy families just received relief aid from the International Federation. Volunteers from the Bolivian Red Cross distributed family parcels containing 45 kg of food, one kitchen set, tools, blankets, mattressess and chlorine to purify the water. "Today is a very special day for the people of Guanay, because it is the first time we have received such an important amount of aid", said Abdón Quevedo, Mayor of Guanay during the relief distribution. Representatives from the Bolivian Red Cross, the International Federation, Oxfam and local authorities were present at the distribution site. These organizations made it possible for these needy families to receive assistance after suffering the worst floods in the last 30 years. "We, the people of Guanay, are so grateful for this assistance", said Ms Lourdes Sardón when she was receiving the relief items from the Bolivian Red Cross volunteers. The humanitarian operation, called "Bolivia 2001 Floods", is being developed with the support of the International Federation and the Bolivian Red Cross. An international appeal was launched on Janaury 30 to the international community. The president of the Bolivian Red Cross, Mr Abel Peña y Lillo, explained that the distribution that took part in Guanay shows the international solidarity with the affected families. He also said that the Bolivian Red Cross will continue with the humanitarian relief operations in other departments of Bolivia where thousands of families are still in need. The rainy season which started in December last year had intensified its level over the historical average during the last months. This has caused the worst floods and landslides in the last 30 years. The departments which have been hit the hardest are La Paz, Oruro, Cochabamba, Beni, Tarija, Pando, Santa Cruz, Chuquisaca and Potosó. The governement has declared a state of emergency in these departments. According to local authorities as the National Civil Defense and humanitarian organizations, the number of affected families has increased from 32,600 to 47,740 at the beginning of March, totaling more than 200,000 people. Approximately 20,000 hectares of land have been flooded. |
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Volunteers
from the Bolivian Red Cross distributed the relief items. 
