Amidst the flooding in Bolivia, Direct Relief is in contact with its local partner network in the country and is currently seeking the most efficient and safest route into the devastated area. Direct Relief has strong relationships with several partners in Bolivia, including ProMujer and PROSALUD whom Direct Relief will support with emergency medical aid in response to the flooding once the appropriate logistic channels are finalized.

After nearly three months of heavy rain in Bolivia, thousands of homes have been destroyed, crops have been lost, roads have become impassable, and at least 40 people have been reported dead. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 200,000 people have been affected by the flooding, and first responders have witnessed increased acute respiratory infections, diarrheal and skin diseases, and dengue fever. Reuters news reports this week indicated that the Bolivian government is drawing up plans to evacuate the 90,000 inhabitants of Trinidad before the flooding there worsens.

Direct Relief has responded to Bolivian disasters in the past, including the floods of 2003, as well as the floods and earthquake in 1998. The organization has aided partner healthcare providers in Bolivia since the 1970s providing over $5.5 million (wholesale) of medical assistance.