- Title: BOLIVIA: Polluted floodwaters put thousands of children at risk
- Date: 28th February 2014
- Summary: PUERTO ALMACEN, BOLIVIA (FEBRUARY 28, 2014) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF HOMES AND VEHICLES UNDERWATER HOMES SUBMERGED IN WATER VARIOUS OF A FLOODED HOME AND A FAMILY THAT IS STILL LIVING IN IT GENERAL VIEW OF TENTS WHERE FLOOD VICTIMS LIVE VARIOUS OF A CHILD DOING HOMEWORK SIGN FOR PUERTO ALMACEN AND A HOME HALF-SUBMERGED IN WATER VARIOUS OF CHILDREN JUMPING INTO FLOODWATERS, SWALLOWING FLOODWATER AND WOMEN WASHING CLOTHES IN IT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FLOOD VICTIM, DOLY PEREZ, SAYING: "This water is contaminated, but what are we going to do? If they're [the authorities] struggling to bring us water, they won't bring water to wash [clothes] in." CHILDREN DRINKING HEALTH CARE TENT WITH SIGN READING: "HEALTH CENTRE PUERTO ALMACEN" VARIOUS OF CHILDREN BEING EXAMINED (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DOCTOR MARCIA RODRIGUEZ, SAYING: "The water, as we know, is contaminated and is full of trash. That is why it is contaminated and now, the water level is beginning to drop and the children don't understand that the water is contaminated and it is not good. We explain that, but they still go into the water and drink the water." VARIOUS OF BOATS WHERE FAMILIES ARE LIVING VARIOUS OF CHILDREN PLAYING ON THE SHORE BECAUSE THE PLAYGROUND IS FLOODED VARIOUS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN A CANOE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FLOOD VICTIM, CARLA MAYOBA, SAYING: "We were sleeping on a barge, but the owners took it. We cannot leave the canoe because robbers will steal it." VARIOUS OF MAYOBA FAMILY TAKING CARE OF CANOE
- Embargoed: 15th March 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Bolivia, Plurinational State Of
- Country: Bolivia
- Topics: Disasters
- Reuters ID: LVA7QKEELURA6CQW8C1CGRR975SU
- Story Text: Severe flooding has taken its toll on northern Bolivia in recent weeks. Entire communities have disappeared beneath the floodwaters, families struggle for food, and dying livestock flounder in the mud. And now, as the water remains stagnant and increasingly contaminated, health care workers and parents are turning their attention to the smallest victims, the children.
According to the United Nations, some 77,000 Bolivian children, almost 40 percent of the victims, have been affected by the flooding.
Many in the northern community of Puerto Almacen appear unaware of the dangers lurking in the polluted water as they play in, swim in and swallow it. But parents say they are worried.
"This water is contaminated, but what are we going to do? If they're [the authorities] struggling to bring us water, they won't bring water to wash [clothes] in," said Doly Perez as she washed her family's laundry in the town's floodwaters.
Community residents seek medical help at a tent set up as a health centre. Doctors say they have seen an increase of water-borne illnesses, such as diarrhea.
Dr. Marcia Rodriguez said they are trying to educate the children, but to little avail.
"The water, as we know, is contaminated and is full of trash. That is why it is contaminated and now, the water level is beginning to drop and the children don't understand that the water is contaminated and it is not good. We explain that, but they still go into the water and drink the water," she said.
With playgrounds and schools submerged, the children of Puerto Almacen find themselves seeking entertainment around their homes. But for many, "home" has become a rickety boat.
"We were sleeping on a barge, but the owners took it. We cannot leave the canoe because robbers will steal it," explained flood victim, Carla Mayoba.
UNICEF has said that it will send aide specifically targeted at children. The help will include medicine, psychological counseling, tents to serve as mobile schools and gathering places for children. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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