Rains hamper Bolivia flood aid

By Daniel Schweimler
BBC News, South America

Mr Morales has appealed for international aid

The Bolivian authorities are struggling to get help to more than 20,000 families affected by flooding that has hit the north and east of the country.

At least 19 people are known to have died as a result of the rains that have been pounding Bolivia for several days

About 100,000 people have been left homeless.

Unusually heavy seasonal rains have caused rivers to burst their banks, mudslides and power cuts across much of the north and east of the country.

Emergency aid has so far only reached about half of the affected families.

Authorities say it is difficult to gain an accurate picture as they have not yet managed to reach many remote areas.

The new President, Evo Morales, has appealed for international aid, of which $2m has been pledged so far.

About half of that has been handed over and Cuba has sent several hundred doctors.

The rescue authorities say they need tents, food and medicine and that many people have become sick after drinking stagnant water.

Land-locked Bolivia is the poorest country in South America and outside the main cities much of it is barren and inhospitable terrain.

The local weather centre predicts that the heavy rains are likely to continue across much of Bolivia for several weeks.