Heavy rains since end of November 2007 in most part of Bolivia, has caused serious damages. Since November 2007 many rivers of this Andean country have broke out of their banks and destroyed most of the crops and livestock.
AMDA Bolivia has successfully conducted a relief medical mission on the 23rd of February 2008. A team of 30 people consisting 12 physicians, 6 nurses and 12 volunteers travel to various affected areas amidst much difficulties and conducted the mission successfully. Due to the destruction of the infrastructure and streets it was very difficult for the team to get to the spots and in facts some of the areas that they wanted to visit could not be reached due the condition of the road.
The first stop of our AMDA Bolivia team was Municipio de Cuatro Canadas which was declared as a disaster area by the government. In total about 280 people were assisted in the area by the team and were vaccinated against tetanus by the 12 physicians. The second stop was another affected area of the 4 de Marzo Community. There were about 25 families still living in this community and they have lost all of their belongings. Around 150 people were vaccinated against tetanus at this community. The team also provided the families with mattresses, blankets, and soap, toothbrush, tooth-paste and food items.
The team intention was to visit a third place called Puerto Cespedes. However due to the condition of the roads they could not reach the destination. Only way of travelling to these areas is by air. The team has decided to leave mattresses, blankets, food and medicine with the local health authorities for the 20 families who live there. Same situation was faced in the Beni Department area as the whole street infrastructure has been swept away by the flood. The donations left behind will be distributed by the Medical Departmental Institution (Colegio Medico de Santa Cruz) as a donation of AMDA Bolivia.
