Bolivia surveys flood devastation

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz visited a central town devastated by floods and landslides, as rescue teams and residents cleared mud and searched for missing people. Heavy rains triggered a hillside collapse that sent mud, logs and rocks into the community, flooding homes and damaging infrastructure and crops. Firefighters conducted rescue operations and were searching for at least two people reported missing.

The government announced $380,000 in international cooperation for immediate humanitarian aid, separate from reconstruction budgets. National authorities deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and help residents return to their homes. The relief effort draws on international contributions reported earlier from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). JICA is supplying emergency relief goods—including engine pumps and essential equipment—while the U.S. provided $100,000 in humanitarian assistance aimed at supporting more than 4,300 people in rural municipalities.

President Luis Arce declared a national state of emergency after torrential rains affected all nine departments, causing widespread displacement, infrastructure damage and dozens of deaths in earlier incidents this year. United Nations figures cited by officials put the total number of households affected by the year’s floods at more than 590,000. The government said incoming international funds will speed distribution of tents, food kits, water‑filter systems and hygiene supplies, prioritizing vulnerable rural and Indigenous communities.

Authorities stressed that current contributions do not cover the full scale of damage but provide critical momentum to move from immediate relief to longer‑term recovery. Plans under consideration include repairs to roads and drainage, upgrades to preventive systems and seeking additional international finance and loans to support rebuilding and resilience measures. Observers noted the situation highlights the growing impact of climate‑driven extreme weather in Latin America and the need for expanded adaptation and mitigation efforts. Officials said coordination continues between national and local agencies, international partners and community groups to accelerate aid delivery and restore basic services.