.- Catholic Charities in Bolivia is preparing to launch an emergency assistance program to help the more than 9,000 people affected by widespread flooding and mudslides caused by heavy rainfall at the end of January. The organization has appealed to the worldwide network of Catholic Charities to order to effectively address the emergency that has caused over 14 deaths and scores of injuries in the regions of La Paz, Santa Cruz, Beni and Potosi.
Currently the organization is directing local offices to provide emergency sanitary assistance, food and clothing. It also plans to create aid programs to help farmers and ranchers in rural communities who have lost their livelihood as a result of the disaster.
Catholic Charities International has issued an urgent call to all regional branches around the world for donations to support the relief efforts in Bolivia. Catholic Charities in Spain responded immediately with a donation of $36,000.
