Flooding in Bolivia due to El Niño phenomenon - 2024 - PAHO/WHO

Since November 2023, Bolivia has recorded above-average rainfall in relation to the El Niño climate phenomenon, which was exacerbated in February and March 2024. This has caused flooding and landslides impacting all 9 departments of the country.

According to data compiled by the Country Humanitarian Team in Bolivia, mainly from the National Rainfall Report of the Vice Ministry of Civil Defense (VIDECI in spanish), between November 1, 2023 and March 04, 2024, a total of 112 adverse events related to heavy rains have been recorded impacting several departments, the most affected being La Paz, Pando, Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Potosi and Oruro.

According to the report from the Humanitarian Country Team of the Vice Ministry of Civil Defence (VIDECI), between November 1, 2023 and March 04, 2024, a total of 112 adverse rain-related events have been recorded impacting several departments, with the most affected being La Paz, Pando, Beni and Cochabamba.

As of March 23, VIDECI recorded 195,887 people diretly affected in 160 municipalities throughout the country, of which 67 municipalities have already declared a municipal disaster and 23 a municipal emergency.

Faced with this national emergency and the considerable health risks, PAHO/WHO has been coordinating closely with the Risk, Emergency and Disaster Management Unit of the Ministry of Health as part of the Institutional Action Plan against the El Niño Phenomenon, supporting the health sector's response to meet the health needs of the most vulnerable populations.