Urgent Food and Medicines Pledged as Deepening Bolivian Political Crisis Cripples Major CitiesCatholic Relief Services While angry protesters choke off major services and supply routes to the Bolivian cities of La Paz and El Alto, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is working with its local partners to supply hospitals and health centers with $30,000 in emergency medicines, food and other vital assistance. The emergency situation follows weeks of violent protests in La Paz and El Alto, where tens of thousands have repeatedly flooded the streets demanding Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada's resignation over controversial natural gas export plans and mounting social and economic problems. At least 80 people have been killed during the marches and clashes with government police.  "This political crisis has now become a humanitarian crisis," said William Farrand, CRS Country Representative for Bolivia. "Because supply routes are blocked, hospitals are running out of medicines, oxygen, blood and food. The money to purchase the supplies exists, in many cases, in the hospital budgets, and extra food and medicines are often available in nearby hospitals and health centers. But there's simply no way to communicate the needs and move the items in time." The medical and food supplies will be purchased in Bolivia and transported to the hospitals and health centers using vehicles flying the Red Cross flag, which are able to pass through makeshift roadblocks thrown up by the protesters. CRS is working with the national Bolivian Social Pastoral-Caritas, and will also receive logistical assistance from area bishops, parish priests and community leaders to ensure the supplies reach patients at 20 hospitals and health centers in the cities of La Paz and El Alto, the North Yungas region and the city of Patacamaya. "In addition to delivering these critical supplies, CRS and our partners support the Catholic Church's efforts to encourage dialogue and bring about a peaceful solution to this crisis," said Farrand. "We are deeply saddened by deaths and injuries suffered during this crisis." Despite concessions by the Bolivian president to demands made by various social groups, protesters across the country are still insisting on his resignation. Opposition leaders have said they will not negotiate with the government until the president steps down, threatening that blockades and other means of pressure will continue until then. In La Paz, the country's administrative capital, and nearby El Alto—together home to nearly two million people—banks, businesses and government offices have closed, and supplies of food, gasoline and propane gas for cooking are quickly being exhausted. Public transportation has shut down, and ambulances have had trouble transporting the wounded through blockades to hospitals. Catholic Relief Services is marking its 60th year as the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 90 countries and territories on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality. To contribute to Catholic Relief Services efforts, send donations to:
For more information, or to contact Catholic Relief Services, see their website at: www.catholicrelief.org |
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